Caliber, Weapon type?

[nebstater]

Was out a couple of days ago, hunting one of the old parks here in town, and came across this old lead bullet. Was hoping that someone could provide me with a caliber, weapon type, general year of use, etc.

For details on the lead piece, (please forgive my lousy picture taking), it weighs 27.6 grams, or .97 of an ounce. It is 1.4 inches in length, and 1/2" in diameter. The bottum of the lead is flat, with the only indention being a small home in the center.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.......

 

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[taz42o]

1/2 " is .50 cal.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

First... thank you for providing very good close-up photos, AND for providing measurements.

Super-precise measurments are absolutely crucially necessary for discovering a bullet's correct ID.

Your measurement of the bullet's weight is so precise, I'm sure it is quite accurate. However, doing "proportional" analysis of the bullet's diameter and length as shown in your photos indicates your size-measurements of it are "off." You say it is 1/2-inch (.50) wide and 1.4-inch long ...so, in the sideview photos, it ought to be almost 3 times as long as its width. Doesn't look that way in the any of the photos.

Your base-view photo shows the bullet's base is damaged ...so an accurate diameter measurement cannot be made at its base. You'll need to use digital calipers to measure the diameter at an undamaged area of the bullet's body. While you're doing that, please re-measure its length. Then tell us the super-accurate diamter and length measurements.

I'm asking for the corrected measurements because when I first looked at your photos I thought your bullet might be a .45-70 or a .50-70 bullet ...but none of those bullets match up with the 1.4-inch length and .97-ounce weight you reported. I'd hoped to be able to help you ID your bullet, but I need more-accurate measurement info to figure out its ID.

 

[Monty]

If it is a true half inch in diameter it would indeed be a 50 caliber. Assuming that is true, it is probably a modern swaged .50 caliber blackpowder rifle. I think the little dimple on the base is due to the swaging dies. That is my best guess and a truely mere guess is what it is. The cannonball man is correct. In order to precisely ID a bullet as you have asked, you have to make precise measurements and provide more background information. Even a brief history of the area where it was found is often the key. (IE: near a Civil War battleground, at a gun range, etc.). Otherwise you are apt to get any number of guesses that come to mind by just looking at the bullet in a photo. Monty