NEED HELP with age of these bullets?

testing123 · Jan 9, 2011

I have two. I don't know if the first one is even a bullet, but it's sort of shaped like one. It measures about 3/4" long. Both appear to be lead. Thanks in advance for any info!

testing123 · Jan 10, 2011

trying one more time!

ramjet2187 · Jan 10, 2011

Number one.........I dunno.

Number two.........Sharps carbine. I think.

Breezie · Jan 10, 2011

Bullet #1 looks to be double loaded. Interesting finds, Breezie

Monty · Jan 11, 2011

I almost hesitate to get in on one of these mystery bullet things for reasons discussed earlier. But there's no fool like an old fool, so............ I think "2 resembles a .45-70 bullet being an inch long. Wish I knew the diameter of the base of both of them. And a picture of the very top of "1 would help a lot too. There were several CW bullets with a "teat" on top made for a muzzle loading rifle mostly used by the CSA. Now as for the age, and if the second bullet is a .45-70 it could be from the 1880s to present day. If not, never mind!
M :wink:

nty

elee · Jan 11, 2011

I agree with Monty. #2 is most likely a 45/70. As he stated, that doesn't say much, as the 45/70 was (is) loaded from about 1870 to the present. A micrometer reading of base diameter would help. Also, a weight in grains would assist. Bullet dia. for 45/70 (fired) should be .457/.458, weight should fall between 300 and 500 grains, assuming no lead loss due to impact. As for the first one...you got me there. There were some two part bullets made by swaging a hard lead base onto a soft lead nose. The base looked quite similar to yours, with the "teat" connecting to a hollow in the nose portion. However it would seem that with your piece the complete bullet would be inordinately long when swaged together. Other than that, it bears no resemblance to any bullet I have ever seen. Interesting!!
Elee

testing123 · Jan 12, 2011

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your input!

We can call #2 solved as I'm more interested in #1.

I've attached some more pics of the #1 item (I'm still trying to figure out the camera so they're not the best quality). Weight is 14.7 grams and I've taken some pics showing the bottom diameter. It's slightly mis-shapen so one way is a little less than 1/2 inch, the the other is pretty mucn an even 1/2 inch. Looks like there's a small rust spot on the top of the tip. Let me know if you'd like me to take some others.

Thanks again!

elee · Jan 13, 2011

Thanks for the updated pics. I am now pretty sure it is the base portion of a two part swaged bullet. Please go to this link for a thorough explanation, I think you will agree on the similarities.
http://www.svartkrutt.net/articles/vis.php?id=32
Very interesting find!!!
Elee

elee · Jan 13, 2011

Yet another link:
http://rceco.com/img/RSBook1.PDF
Scroll all the way to the bottom and look at the illustration. Note that it was more common to use a conical profile in the nose of the base as opposed to the squared off profile illustrated, but the illustration is a good explanation of how the two part bullet thing worked!
Elee

Monty · Jan 13, 2011

The mystery bullet could well be the front part of a two or three part bullet. It looks like it is about .50 caliber and that would be a close guesstimate. Several two and a few three part bullets were used in the CW, but I am not saying it was a CW bullet. I can't ID it any closer mainly because it is so deformed, and the nose "teat" could have been caused by it striking something? Monty

dcinffxva · Jan 13, 2011

Another explanation for the marking on the first one could be from a ramrod. Here is one similar placed in the end of a Civil War ramrod.

timekiller · Jan 13, 2011

Breezie said:
Bullet #1 looks to be double loaded. Interesting finds, Breezie

Could be Breezie :wink:

Take Care,
Pete, :hello:

Description Fired double loaded blown through Enfield bullet. Note the nose cone at top of bullet that was formed by the top bullet. Dug Spanish Fort (private property), Alabama.

elee · Jan 13, 2011

The double loading idea is a VERY interesting theory...and every bit as plausible as mine. That is what I love about this forum...something always comes up that makes me question myself! I doubt the ramrod theory. Having shot many muzzle-loaded Minie balls and round balls, I believe it would be difficult to apply enough pressure on the ramrod to form the nose as shown. A double fired bullet, however, would do exactly that. Perhaps it is impossible to know for sure?
Elee

testing123 · Jan 13, 2011

Thanks guys for all of your help! Looks like we have a couple of good possibilities on what #1 is, so let's call this complete. Thanks again!! The knowledge here is amazing!