✅ SOLVED Ringtail sharps?

[Tigerdude]

I take it that?s this is a genuine bonafide ringtail sharps. If so, this is a first for me in Louisiana.

 

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[smokeythecat]

Yes, sure looks like it!

 

[billb]

Beautiful recovery and thank you for sharing..Perhaps for me
20/20 eyesight and good luck definitely would be helpful ....

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

That particular version of "Old Model" .52 Sharps bullet, whose distinctly conical body-shape shape somewhat resembles a Christmas Tree, is believed to be strictly Confederate-made. Up here in Virginia, we dig that version only in CS camps, never yankee. Thought you'd want to know.

 

[Tigerdude]

Good info, Cannonball.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I forgot to mention, the main ID-clue for this bullet is the fact that each ring is a bit wider and thicker than the one above it. That, and the bullet's sharp-pointed nose, are what give it the distinctive conical shape which resembles a Christmas Tree. No other .52-caliber Ringtail has all those characteristics. (The tie-ring base is the tree's "stand.") See the photo below.

 

[TimberCrack]

Cannonball...is the base solid or conical found a couple of those out here also..used during Indian campaigns I guess...

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

TimberCrack asked:
> Cannonball...is the base solid or conical found a couple of those out here also..used during Indian campaigns I guess...

The base of .52-caliber Sharps Ringtail bullets is always solid. There is a very rare .56-caliber Sharps Ringtail bullet which has a deep base-cavity. See bullets #120 (.52-caliber "Christmas-Tree Ringtail") and #121 (.56-caliber Ringtail with base-cavity) in the "Handbook Of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges" by James E. and Dean S. Thomas.

 

[Elvis]

Looks like it. TheCannonBallGuy is always on it. I love to read his replies and learn from him.

 

[Retired Sarge]

TimberCrack asked:
> Cannonball...is the base solid or conical found a couple of those out here also..used during Indian campaigns I guess...

The base of .52-caliber Sharps Ringtail bullets is always solid. There is a very rare .56-caliber Sharps Ringtail bullet which has a deep base-cavity. See bullets #120 (.52-caliber "Christmas-Tree Ringtail") and #121 (.56-caliber Ringtail with base-cavity) in the "Handbook Of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges" by James E. and Dean S. Thomas.

TCBG, always Jonny on the Spot with the answer, with a quick description and information to back it up, with a dash of history added in. This is what makes his answers, this forum and its members so awesome.

 

[erfranks]

Nice Lead!!