The La Junta finds.

[High Plains Digger]

My son has been digging in La Junta, Colorado. The bullet is a mystery--.44 cal with a flat bottom and apparently a flat nose. Can't find it in M & M or T & T. Any help out there? No reeding in the rings, either. This area is in the general area (if a number of miles is considered general) as the Sand Creek Massacre of 1862 (pardon my memory if not exact), as well as a lot of general indian activity as late as the 1870's.

Then comes the button. Big area for the railroad, but CC does not translate well into RR. An interesting button, does anyone have any experience with one like it? Back hasn't been cleaned enough to figure out maker. My last "old" button has been made for 125 years and can still be purchased at JOANNE'S at $2.99 for a 3 piece card, but it looked like it had been through several wars.

He had the day of days, which included a harmonica reed plate near the bullet, 5 indian head pennies, and a Merc. dime. What a guy!

 

[EagleDown]

A couple of choices: Peace Petition Caravan Campaign (PPCC) Fairly modern, 1980s. Petitioning Canada Tory Gov. about cruise missiles.

Also, could pertain to: Pikes Peak Community College

So far, this is what I've come up with. Probably more if I had time to google it.

Eagle

 

[treasurehound]

Nice finds. I have stopped by La Junta on the way to Philmont Boy Scout Base a couple times and one time visited Bent's Fort nearby. We were fortunate to be there when they had the cavalry there showing their sabre and lance drilling. A lot of history there.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

your bullet looks like an old .44-40.

 

[High Plains Digger]

Hmmm........44-40? I will have to check back on T & T. I suppose that this is post CW? Perhaps that is why it isn't there. Any confirmation for this diagnosis? How about a showing-of-hands vote at least.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

.44-40 is post CW, I base that guess on bullets my grandfather used to cast himself as reloads for his winchester rifle. It looks the same as those. Someone else may be able to pin it down better, but that's where I'd start looking. Good luck!

 

[HCW]

Your button could be from an older Country Club also.
Look into that.

 

[DinkyDauBilly]

Here ya go on the button:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ppcc-pullmans-palace-car-company-maker-train

 

[DinkyDauBilly]

Regarding the bullet ... can you provide a weight in grains, and mike the diameter?

.44-40's s/b in the 200-225 grain range and may vary widely in diameter, though nominally .427 inch.

.45 Colts of that era s/b about 255 grains, give or take, nominally .454 diameter.

.45-70/.45-90/.45-100 Government/Sharps/Ballard rifles s/b 400-500 grains generally, occasionally 350-ish for some loads. They s/b .458 diameter.

Here is more info on 'buffler' rifle cartridges of that time:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/buffalo_cartridges.htm

 

[High Plains Digger]

Wow, what great info. Well done on PPCC. I had a gut feeling that it was RR related. WOW.

I will work on more numbers for the bullet. I don't know if my grains scale is working, can you convert from carats? Using a cheap micrometer that I keep in my field pouch, it did measure 7/16, I think, which came out to .44. I will get out my digital, but I am not a machinist, so 3 points behind the decimal may not be my thing.

Now that I have found the right audience, I have some actual CW bullets to get sorted out. So my question to start is: Have y'all been finding bullets with a ring around it near the top? I may have to figure out where the "discussion" forum is.

Again, great work!

 

[PikesPeakCharlie]

Great finds !!! I simply love the button Keep it up !!!