See What The Left Behind - Carved Bullet?

[Valley Ranger]

See What They Left Behind - Carved Bullet?

Well, the corn is finally being cut here in the Shenandoah Valley, so I was invited by a friend to go to a Civil War battlefield site (private property, of course) yesterday for what amounted to a scouting trip. We both knew this site has been pounded since the 1960's. Nonetheless, in just meandering through the 60+ acre site for 2.5 hours yesterday, it appears those that went before us have missed a few items. My friend, who is a newbie and was using a Garrett AT Pro for the very first time, found the complete nose end of an artillery shell. I found the items below: A shell fragment (within 30 seconds of firing up my T2), the center male threaded part of a Schenkel shell fuse and what I first thought might be a carved bullet. But that lead piece has what looks like it might have been some kind of a seal around the base. It's fibrous and seems to have some elasticity, but I don't believe its rubber. Any ideas on that item?

Lesson we all learn: pounded sites still have history hiding beneath our feet. We'll be going back soon.

 

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[VOL1266-X]

Nice finds Richard. I believe the lead or pewter relic may have been an improvised finial to a cap or cartridge box and the black piece is leather. As I have stated many times, I'm not a CW relic expert. Did it read like lead or pewter? WTG, Q.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice finds Richard. I believe the lead or pewter relic may have been an improvised finial to a cap or cartridge box and the black piece is leather. As I have stated many times, I'm not a CW relic expert. Did it read like lead or pewter? WTG, Q.

Hey Quindy - I knew the "carved bullet"headline would get your response. I can't say with any certainty, but I believe it rang more like a bullet (lead) and the patina is very similar to what a bullet would be. Thanks for the idea - could certainly be what you're describing. Thanks for chiming in!

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice finds Richard. I believe the lead or pewter relic may have been an improvised finial to a cap or cartridge box and the black piece is leather. As I have stated many times, I'm not a CW relic expert. Did it read like lead or pewter? WTG, Q.

Quindy:

I believe you may have ID'd the lead piece:

Dug Cast Lead Confederate Precussion Cap Box Finials

Thanks!!!

 

[CoilyGirl]

I was thinking finial too.That Schenkel shell fuse top is nice,good color too.

 

[Valley Ranger]

I was thinking finial too.That Schenkel shell fuse top is nice,good color too.

Thanks. Yes, beautiful patina and in great shape. I'll be looking for the rest of it when I get back.

 

[ynpto804]

I have dug that same style finial in confederate camps here in Richmond. Though I've never seen them with the leather. Very nice find

 

[Valley Ranger]

I have dug that same style finial in confederate camps here in Richmond. Though I've never seen them with the leather. Very nice find

Thanks!

 

[VOL1266-X]

I sent a pic to Larry Hicklen (veteran Tennessee relic hunter and owner of Middle Tennessee Civil War Relics in Murfeesboro. He verified your relic stating "It's a Confederate lead cartridge box finial likely carved from a bullet." A very nice relic Richard and having a Confederate ancestor makes it even sweeter for you. HH, Q.

 

[Valley Ranger]

I sent a pic to Larry Hicklen (veteran Tennessee relic hunter and owner of Middle Tennessee Civil War Relics in Murfeesboro. He verified your relic stating "It's a Confederate lead cartridge box finial likely carved from a bullet." A very nice relic Richard and having a Confederate ancestor makes it even sweeter for you. HH, Q.

Thanks Quindy! I appreciate that. The leather seems to be getting more brittle, fragile as it dries out. Anything I can/should do to preserve it? BTW, I also found a shell casing with "US" stamped on the bottom, center. Ever seen anything like that?

 

[ModernMiner]

Quindy:

I believe you may have ID'd the lead piece:

Dug Cast Lead Confederate Precussion Cap Box Finials

Thanks!!!

I learn something new here on Tnet all the time.
Great CW find Richard.

Awesome job on the ID Quindy.

-MM-

 

[pepperj]

Thanks Quindy! I appreciate that. The leather seems to be getting more brittle, fragile as it dries out. Anything I can/should do to preserve it? BTW, I also found a shell casing with "US" stamped on the bottom, center. Ever seen anything like that?

Nice dig on the finial, wonder if a mink oil( or some other leather oil ) would help keep it?

 

[VOL1266-X]

Thanks Quindy! I appreciate that. The leather seems to be getting more brittle, fragile as it dries out. Anything I can/should do to preserve it? BTW, I also found a shell casing with "US" stamped on the bottom, center. Ever seen anything like that?

No, but I'll email Cannonball guy. He IS an expert on artillery. He'll give you info. HH, Q.

 

[Valley Ranger]

I learn something new here on Tnet all the time.
Great CW find Richard.

Awesome job on the ID Quindy.

-MM-

Thanks MM - yeah, me too. It's amazing how often I Google for a relic ID and get directed right to TNet!

 

[Valley Ranger]

Nice dig on the finial, wonder if a mink oil( or some other leather oil ) would help keep it?

Yes, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

I got an email from VOL1288-X asking me to comment on the bullet cartridge-casing with "US" stamped on its flat bottom. That is the casing "headstamp" of the United States Cartridge Company, of Lowell Massachusetts, which was in business from 1869 to 1926. If your casing's US-mark is written in raised lettering, it dates from 1885 to 1908. (Prior to 1885, USCCo's casings had no headstamp.) An indented-lettering "US" casing headstamp dates from 1908 to 1927.

If you can provide digital caliper measurements of the length and diameter of the casing (not its wider base), and post some closeup photos of it, I might be able to tell you what specific type of casing it is.

By the way... the size of your lead finial in comparison with the Schenkl Percussion fuze's anvil-cap shows it is definitely a Confederate-made percussion capbox finial, not a cartridge-box finial (which is larger). The vast majority were cast in a mold, rather than carved out of a bullet.

 

[VaMark]

Good Finds Richard. I like the carved bullet/finial. I have been waiting on the corn cutting as well, seems like the wet weather earlier changed the harvest times a bit.

 

[Valley Ranger]

Good Finds Richard. I like the carved bullet/finial. I have been waiting on the corn cutting as well, seems like the wet weather earlier changed the harvest times a bit.

Yes, it really did Mark. Hope you have a successful season. Still lookin' to get together with you some time to hunt that road bed.

 

[The Boots]

Nice, and happy hunting