Union+Confederate Collision

[MawkusD]

Hello Everyone,
I believe this is an amazing example of a collided bullet. I'd love to hear some of the opinions on whether or not I am correct about it being a collided set of bullets, rather than a pulled bullet.

Thanks

 

[MawkusD]

Better photos.

 

[EccentricInTexas]

It does look like a collided bullet to met. I also think that the larger one might be either and expansive (hollow Point) or Explosive bullet. The lead looks like it was thin and had a cavity in it before the smaller bullet hit it. Just a guess.

 

[MawkusD]

Thanks for the insight. The larger bullet looks a different than most 3 ringers that I've found. I was thinking it may have been carved. If it is in fact collided bullets, it's one of the nicer examples I've seen. Would you agree?

 

[pong12211]

I have no idea but it could possibly be a collided bullet. One things is for sure though your in the right place to find the answer. Best of luck

 

[UnderMiner]

No way! That's the most awesome find if it's true! Certainly a one-in-a-million-shot to have this happen, but if they were firing at eachother at the same time in a straight line the possibility of a bullet colision certainly would not have been impossible.

 

[Slingshot]

Looks like a .58 3 ringer hit head on by a smaller pistol bullet. I cant tell by looking at the pics whether it would be a .36, or a .44. which were both not only loaded with round balls, but also had conical bullets available in the form of paper wrapped cartridges. That would have been at close range in my estimation. The question that arises is did the smaller bullet have enough effect on the larger one to deflect it from it's path which evidently would have been directly headed at the pistol shooter, if it wasn't deflected enough then too bad for the pistolier. If it was deflected then chances are the pistolier had a follow up shot with his six shooter and too bad for the rifleman, if that wasn't his last round. If it was his last round then it would have been a collision in hand to hand combat. Then the rifleman would have had the edge with a bayonet, if he had it fixed to his rifle, or his longer weapon used as a heavy blunt spear or club. I'd check some more in that area, but that bullet may have travelled some distance before impacting in it's final resting place if deflected, or could have gone completely through the pistolier given the mass and velocity of the heavier rifle bullet. Either way, that is an exceptional find that conjures up many visions and possible outcomes of two soldiers locked in a life and death struggle on a battlefield.

 

[Slingshot]

Looking at the pics again I would venture that that is a .36 caliber pistol round since it has a flat base, I believe the .44's had a hollow base, and the .36's had a flat base. Nice find!

 

[MawkusD]

I'm glad to see that there are other people in the world with imaginations like mine. I have thought up many different scenarios. Do any of you guys think that three-ringer looks carved?

 

[Jeff In North Georgia]

May have been a bullet fired while the tamping rod was still in the barrel? Does not look like a collision set.

Jeff

 

[wvdirtdigger]

I like it!

 

[MawkusD]

I think it's a great look collision set. I wouldn't think anyone would fire their weapon with the temping rid still in it.

 

[MawkusD]

Great looking.

 

[Jeff In North Georgia]

I think it's a great look collision set. I wouldn't think anyone would fire their weapon with the temping rid still in it.

They had one in American Digger magazine "Just Dug" section last month.

Jeff

 

[MawkusD]

I'll have to check it out

 

[DigIron2]

Kind of hard to tell from the pictures,but it does look like a sharps, possibly ring tail that collided with a 3 ringer to me?Or like mentioned above some smaller cal.If so you really got you something RARE there.

 

[VOL1266-X]

I found one recently that looked collided but one was fired into the other. Maybe Cannonball Guy can help you out. He helped me. HH, Quindy.

 

[Doc Arey]

The amount of lead flying back then was amazing. I Think they hit at a angle not straight on.

 

[pepperj]

I have found modern copper jacket lead stuck together/ piercing each other. This was a case of target practice and it was a keeper for sure, in your case I'm not sure at all, but it's a keeper.

 

[danimal03]

neat find. it has an odd look to me. I have seen about two dozen collided bullets over the years and this looks almost nothing like those. it is hard to say without examining it in person; but in my humble opinion it looks like a soldier may have fooled around with two bullets and stuck them together. the top of the .58 cal minie has a sort of 'melted out' look. the bullet is not the explosive Gardnier and looks like a regular minie. I collect carved bullets and I have everything from a carved pig's head; dove, phallus, dice, chess pieces, etc. Soldiers did all sorts of stuff when bored. I have seen other bullets stuck together just fooling around. Not saying for sure I am 100% confident; but just proposing a different POSSIBLE explanation. Either way still a super cool piece and would make my month to dig it. Good luck finding more at the site. Neat find however they came together.