QUOTE=Joe G from Md;5763162]To me this looks like a carved acorn. I have had two others in one of my previous posts [carved bullets] where members have seen Acorns [14th corps] I personally don't see them. This one I see an Acorn, may be way off. question if these are acorns where I found them was not a 14th corps area of operations could it just be soldiers liked to carve acorns or are we seeing things?[/QUOTE]
Reading down , it does look like a 36 "Teardrop" I bought a few from a Club Member/ Relic , Coin Dealer , he stated they came from TN & The Nashville area in particular.
Your bullet (like D-Dog) said looks Carved on it's sides & As you say the bottom as well.
In my Handbook of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges # 38 with example 'C' being a 44 caliber.
Now ..Maybe the Soldier needed a 36 cal & Carved down a 44 cal to fit His 36 cal pistol. ? This may have messed up the tied on powder Charge tho.
A 36 cal should avg .385 in Diameter , if your bullet is less from the sides being carved , it could be the 36.
Then again the chess piece will fit the scenario as well.
I don't think it was a 14 corps acorn ( but could have been , taken back north after the war or an injury.
From what I have read ' my details could be off ' The 14 corps started using the Acorn as their symbol after a very hard Winter 1863-1864 in & Around Chattanooga TN , where cause of the lack of food they/ many were forced to Eat Acorns .
So IMO & From what I can tell ; The carved Lead & Brass Badges / Pieces are mostly found in the March & Actions or the Union troops to Atlanta , the on the March to the Sea.
Most I have seen found were in the West Cobb & Paulding Co' areas Esp, Around Kennessaw , & I've seen others found in & Around Atlanta , heck Guess they could even be found in the Carolina's after Sherman left Savannah.
I do really like the Relic tho,
