Help with aging

[Goldfinchs1]

Can you guys age/type this bullet for me?
Thanks in advance

 

[JT]

You have to measure it to tell the size. Once you get the measurements, you can compare the shape/size to this chart to tell what caliber it is, and possibly whether it was used by the North or South.

19th Century Bullet Collection - Tom Henrique

 

[civil_war22]

It's either a reproduction .69 caliber or a darn near mint one

 

[Goldfinchs1]

Definitely not a reproduction. It came out of the water. It wasn't fired and still had a piece of wad in the cup. It's been buried in the sand for a lot of years. Trying to figure out if its pre-1860 or post. Is there any way to figure that out or was this type used all through those years?

 

[civil_war22]

It's a 1860-1865 .69 caliber mini ball

 

[Goldfinchs1]

I don't mean to be a stickler, but are you saying it would not have been used in 1859 or 1867? It's important that I get as specific as possible.
Thanks,

 

[civil_war22]

Ok a little more specific but may be a little off. If it was fired out of a Springfield model 1842 it could date from 1844-1865. Can't tell unless I have precise measurements but if its a .58 caliber it would be Springfield model 1861 which saw service from 1861-1872.

 

[Goldfinchs1]

Perfect. Great info. Can you tell me how to take proper measurements? Length, diameter, etc?

 

[civil_war22]

Get the closest you can with width at base and length.

 

[Goldfinchs1]

.58 x 1.031

Thanks

 

[civil_war22]

.58 caliber then

 

[JT]

.58 x 1.031

Thanks

Based on those dimensions and looking at the chart, that's likely a Confederate bullet. Does that fit whatever site you're diving?

 

[Goldfinchs1]

Could be either confederate or union based but we're debating on whether its a 1859 site or a 1867 site. It's not a prime war period site. So, what I gather from this is that it couldn't be a pre-1861 site due to the 58 cal.? Correct?

 

[civil_war22]

Due to that model of but yes but the site might hold earlier relics as some soldiers carried stuff that was old in their day. Like coins, some clothing, buckles. Even some of the rifles were brought from home to fight in the war

 

[Goldfinchs1]

Yes, but the presence of this bullet physically precludes the possibility of it being an 1859 site, correct?

 

[Tnmountains]

Yes, but the presence of this bullet physically precludes the possibility of it being an 1859 site, correct?

Where any other artifacts/relics besides the one bullet found at the site? Does the civil war atlas list the area in any of its maps?

 

[Goldfinchs1]

No. It's definitely not a battle site. Lots of old artifacts. Not listed anywhere. This is the only bullet found and it only has one loading mark on the side. Looks like the barrel dissolved around it.

 

[civil_war22]

Not saying anything bout wanting to hunt it but can you give more details. That might shed some light on what was there prior

 

[Goldfinchs1]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, I'm under a confidentiality order so I can't give any additional details. For your assistance, I'll share some additional photos.

 

[civil_war22]

Looks like a rifle and whats measurements on ball