2 Unidentified Bullets (Enfield / British Rifle Musket)?

Appalachianman76

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Aug 22, 2016
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Hi everyone. Thanks for reading my post. I found two bullets today. They are still in the wood of a pine tree. Can anyone help me identify them? They look very similar to Enfield or British Rifle Musket Pattern 1851. However, they are smaller than what is listed online. Their sizes are both .35 inches wide x .65 - .70 inches long. Hard to be exact due to being fired and still being in wood. They have conical hollows which are very deep, especially for the bullet size. They don't have any rings or reeded grooves. Thank you for your time and help.

Also, I would like to preserve the wood/bullet combo. Any ideas how to keep the wood from deteriorating but preserving the value of the pieces?
 

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Wow that pine still looks like it has sap in it. Def enfields for sure. I wonder if it might be modern muzzleloader as there is no patina? They made and poured so many variations to the smooth enfields I do not know but there are many charts. Were these out of a creek by chance?
Welcome to T-net. I am sure the bullet experts will be better at helping you.
Glad you found the site.
 

Wow that pine still looks like it has sap in it. Def enfields for sure. I wonder if it might be modern muzzleloader as there is no patina? They made and poured so many variations to the smooth enfields I do not know but there are many charts. Were these out of a creek by chance?
Welcome to T-net. I am sure the bullet experts will be better at helping you.
Glad you found the site.

Thanks for the reply and welcome. Yes, the one piece of pine still had hard sap (almost like amber) encasing it, so much so that I could not dig to get to the bullet. I had to carefully split the wood along the grain from top to bottom. I believe the piece of wood was what was left of the core of the pine tree. These bullets are from a very dry sandstone ridge. The soil is super sandy and very shallow. I have found .65 caliber musket balls and other relics that are all preserved with very little corrosion or white patina in this same area. I had the same thoughts about being modern due their newer look, but with the number and variety of different artifacts, the area they are spread over and the remoteness of the location, it's hard to fathom.
 

Nice finds .
As for age IMO ???? W/O seeing them in person . If the Size is right 54-57-69 cal your likely in business so they say.

Many techniques to preserve them , Choose one you like best.
 

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