Relic hunt in Missouri with good friends.....!!!!! Finally got the pics LOADED!

[ridge_runner]

Hey all,

Alan in St. Louis, Gregd573, and I went out this weekend to a well known Civil War Spot. Needless to say it's probably been hunted by a thousand people for a thousand years. I know there have been other things found there besides bullets but not very much in any variety. A few coins, a ring I think and no buttons that I know of. Anyway, we all met before daybreak on Sunday. Believe it or not it was 66 degrees when I got into my truck to leave at 0530. Amazing!!!! There was rain in the forcast, which came down in torrents after we had left. We got lucky as it only sprinkled a few times but not enough to force us too stop hunting. We only hunted for about 4 hours but it was long enough for us all to leave with some bullets and ofcourse some iron.
Now, I only know a few things about CW bullets... For instance, I know there are .58s and .69s..... I have found a few of both. I have also found some round balls. This hunt was a little different, I found some different bullets. Some I had never seen before. Baldingboy sent me a website in order for me to try and identify them but theres no way. Alot of the bullets look the same and I have no way of weighing them or figuring out the diameter. So, out of the crappy pics I took I'm hoping some of y'all can help me out.... Here are a few pics... I don't have a great camera and can't really take closeups so these pics probably won't be any help. In pic one, below the square nail are what I think are .69s.... There are different from the .69s I had found in the past in that they only have two rings and are very deeply molded. Maybe a Gardner Patent .69 Deep Cavity? Anyone agree The only this is that these were CSA bullets. Also in the first pic you'll see the lone .69 in the middle. It has the traditional 3 rings but is rounded on top and not pointed like some I'd found in the past. To the right of it are the .69s that I had been use to finding. Pic one bottom left are three bullets that are new too me. The are smaller caliber and I have no clue what they were shot from. The lone middle bullet too the right of those three was shot but is plainly in the teardrop pattern. You can tell by the pic that it was cut from the mold there at the bottom. To the right of it are what we thought may be buck and ball or grape shot....?? Those may be one in the same thing....I don't know... See, told you I don't know squat about CW bullets. And to the right of the grape shot is a round ball that I believe has teeth marks on it. I couldn't get a good close up so I know you guys won't be able to help with that one......I've added a few more pics....maybe y'all will be able to make something out in those for a possible ID....
As I said, we all had a great time and all left with bullets. It was a great hunt. Hopefully Alan and Greg will post their finds also. We are supposed to do this again in the next couple weeks. Hopefully we'll have some more bullets and maybe a button or two to show you all..... Thank you Alan and Greg for a great hunt!!!!! Until the next post....Good luck all!!!!

HH,

ridge_runner

 

[ridge_runner]

Very nice bunch of bullets. I still love diggin em. The ones labeled small caliber on the lower left of the first pic may be ringtailed sharps

Thanks dig,

.52 caliber right

RR

 

[{Sentinel}]

No, not particularly rare. They can be found at early Union campsites and that site is early war. The .69 cal became less common as the war dragged on and the .58 cal springfield became the standard issue rifle.

That is true in Missouri, but over here in Virginia you do not find them as much..even in early war sites. You can find .58 minies, .54 Sharps, Enfields, Towers, .69 Belgians, all calibers of musketballs but those musketoons are much more elusive here in this part of the East... in Virginia.

 

[johnnycat]

Hey Ridge_Runner, when my camaera used to work I used to place a magnifying glass right against the lens and that allowed me to take some good, clear closeups.

 

[ridge_runner]

Hey Ridge_Runner, when my camaera used to work I used to place a magnifying glass right against the lens and that allowed me to take some good, clear closeups.

Thanks JC,

I'll try it and see how well it works. That may be the solution too my problem. Either that or buy a better camera!!!!! LOL.

RR

 

[renegade_7]

Very nice bullets. The ones I found there are damaged, but decent finds nonetheless. You've got some nice ones. WTG

 

[ridge_runner]

Thanks R7,

I'll keep you informed on the hunt next weekend.....Weather Permitting!!!

HH,

RR