Bullet identification

White Heart

Full Member
Sep 5, 2017
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All Treasure Hunting
I recovered this bullet from a yellow pine board. It had been shot into the edge of the board and traveled into it about 3 inches.
I think it might be a 44-40, but that is just a guess.View attachment Bullet nose.jpg Bullet marked.jpgBullet gouge.jpg

Knowing the date this bullet was made will help me solve a puzzle. Does anyone have an idea?
It weighs 13.8 grams and is approx .427 in in diameter. It is missing some lead.
Thank you,
WH
 

If it measures .427 it can't be a .44-40,it would more than likely be .41 caliber.A bullet has to be slightly bigger than the bore of the guns barrel or the rifling won't grip the bullet.
 

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If it measures .427 it can't be a .44-40,it would more than likely be .41 caliber.A bullet has to be slightly bigger than the bore of the guns barrel or the rifling won't grip the bullet.
Thanks Red
Wiki says a 41 is .41 in Diameter and introduced in 1961. I don't think this bullet saw the light of day for 110 to 140 years. I found it with late 19th century objects at the bottom of a 11 foot deep chamber.
WH
 

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Pretty sure they had .41 calibers before 1961. 1870's I think is when they came up with that calber...d2
 

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Funny. A .41 Colt bullet was .386" and weighs 200 grains, A 41 Magnum bullet is .410" and weighs 220 grains, while a 44-40 measures .427" and weighs 200 grains. Had to look to computer for gram weight, as we DON'T use that in this country. Conversion 13.8 grams= 213 grains. All help for a better guess. Hope this helps.
 

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Just to get the info out there, there's been .41 caliber bullets for a good while, starting with the .41 rimfire in 1863 with a diameter of .405 (usually found in period derringers). The .41 Long Colt followed, and then I think the .41 Remington Magnum in 1964.
 

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Funny. A .41 Colt bullet was .386" and weighs 200 grains, A 41 Magnum bullet is .410" and weighs 220 grains, while a 44-40 measures .427" and weighs 200 grains. Had to look to computer for gram weight, as we DON'T use that in this country. Conversion 13.8 grams= 213 grains. All help for a better guess. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the grains to grams info Pistol-Pete.
It looks like they made a 217 grain between 1886 and 1905 for the USMC. And then a 225 grain in 1950, but that is to recent.
This points to after 1886 for it getting lodged in the board.
I know from an eye witness that the site was hidden and unknown from 1925 and 1987. Photographic evidence points to between 1884 and 1909 for the closure of the chamber.
Any one know about the crimp rings? Do they help pin down identification? Manufacturer?
WH
 

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if the rings are reeded like the edge of a coin it's post 1880
NOLA_Ken,
There does seem to be reeding in the area where the corrosion has flaked off.
I have not attempted to clean it, other than with water to rinse it. The corrosion seems to be loosening with the passing of time out of the damp environment in which I found it.
Thanks
WH
 

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