DCMatt
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Possible CW bullet ID needed
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HomeGuardDan
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You have a .54 Star Carbine bullet. Nice find. Civil War era for sure. Hunt that site more.
Dan
Dan
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duggap
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Look real close at the ring around the bullet and see if you see any crimp marks.
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TheCannonballGuy
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Your bullet's characteristics:
1- a single wide RAISED ring at its bottom,
2- faint groove above the raised ring,
3- pointed nose,
4- diameter a little more than .50-inch,
6- length approximately .9-inch.
Those characterisitcs cause me to agree with HomeGuardDan that it is a civil war era US .54-caliber Starr breechloading rifle bullet. The "Handbook of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges" says an UNFIRED .54-caliber Starr bullet's diameter is .552-inch, and length is .91-inch. See photo and info on page 34, bullet #94.
1- a single wide RAISED ring at its bottom,
2- faint groove above the raised ring,
3- pointed nose,
4- diameter a little more than .50-inch,
6- length approximately .9-inch.
Those characterisitcs cause me to agree with HomeGuardDan that it is a civil war era US .54-caliber Starr breechloading rifle bullet. The "Handbook of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges" says an UNFIRED .54-caliber Starr bullet's diameter is .552-inch, and length is .91-inch. See photo and info on page 34, bullet #94.
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DCMatt
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CBG & HomeGuardDan - Thanks for the info. I really should buy some calipers... I see the Starr was a late war, Federal issued weapon and mostly sent to the Western theater. Any thoughts on a Starr carbine bullet being found in Northern Virginia?
DCMatt
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HomeGuardDan
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I have recovered Starr Carbine bullets in South Eastern VA, Norther VA, Central VA, and Eastern NC (Sherman's March). Almost always these were at cavalry camps.
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Old Dude
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Great recovery. Not sure if it's the lighting, but it has a very unique patina. You guys just amaze me with your knowledge of calibers and makers. Thank you, CBG for mentioning that book. I always wonder what reference materials you use, and so I just bought it. Looks like a great tool! Thanks DCMatt for your great pics so we all can learn.
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TheCannonballGuy
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DCMatt wrote:
> I really should buy some calipers.
Matt, a good-quality Digital Caliper (which measures in thousandths-of-an-inch) can now be bought for $15-$20. Check the Harbor Freight Tools website, or go to one of their local stores. Also, Ebay has lots of them available for $15... but watch out for a sneaky super-high Shipping fee by Ebay sellers. Here's a link to a very good one at the Harbor Freight Tools website:
Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers
Info for anybody here who doesn't already know:
A Digital Caliper will pay for itself many times... because very-precise measuring is crucial for getting the CORRECT identification of not just bullets but also for ID-ing coins, buttons, buckles, etc.
> I really should buy some calipers.
Matt, a good-quality Digital Caliper (which measures in thousandths-of-an-inch) can now be bought for $15-$20. Check the Harbor Freight Tools website, or go to one of their local stores. Also, Ebay has lots of them available for $15... but watch out for a sneaky super-high Shipping fee by Ebay sellers. Here's a link to a very good one at the Harbor Freight Tools website:
Digital Calipers - Save on these 6 Inch Digital Calipers
Info for anybody here who doesn't already know:
A Digital Caliper will pay for itself many times... because very-precise measuring is crucial for getting the CORRECT identification of not just bullets but also for ID-ing coins, buttons, buckles, etc.
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