Civil War bullets and Cannonball? found, I need some help

[Justin Credible]

Greetings,

I’m new to this forum and this is my first post.

Friday (08/06/2010), two metal detecting hunting buddies and I were able (with permission) to hunt a Civil War skirmish site on private property. The skirmish occurred in Oct of 1862.

I found three bullets and a cannonball(?).

I don’t know much about these items so I’ll throw it out there.

I guess I have more questions about the cannon ball although I don’t really know what to ask.

The cannonball is slightly larger than 3 inches in diameter. It has a hole, which I suspect may have been for fuse. This hole measures approx 1 1/8 inch in diameter. There’s a second hole which looks oval with the exception the straight sides are parallel. I’ve seen some reference to some cannonballs having a “side plug”. From the pics I’ve seen of them, this second hole looks to be in about the same area.

That’s about as much as I know about it. Anything more than this would be gravy.

Should I clean it? It was full of dirt, and I am aware there may be grapeshot in it (or not). I started to pick the dirt out but have stopped.

See pictures, any info would be welcomed and appreciated.

Much thanks to all.

 

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[Iron Patch]

Nice one. I'd just put it under water and scoop out the the dirt and possible remaining gun powder.

 

[traderoftreasures]

welcome to t'net..
i wish my first post was that awesome

 

[fyrffytr1]

Glad you made it. I thought Iron Patch would have IDed the bullets and finial piece as well. Someone will tell you what they are.
Again, nice finds.

 

[traderoftreasures]

here is what i think your bullets are...

 

[Iron Patch]

For the pictures at the top.... Think the middle is a typical mini, the left looks like a match (for the first in the reply showing the pics), but the right is too small to be an enfield.


Disclaimer: I know very little about bullets!

 

[fyrffytr1]

IP, I know your area is buttons. I just had a mental lapse. Heck, I thought the first bullet was a tip from a flag pole. I have never seen a bullet shaped like that.
I don't think the second one is a 69 but I missed the first one so who knows. Going by the measurements the large bullet looks to be almost 5/8" wide. That equals a 58 cal bullet. A 69 would be almost 3/4" wide. I thought the third one was a 36 cal judging by the measuremments given.
If I am wrong please correct me.

 

[Iron Patch]

IP, I know your area is buttons. I just had a mental lapse. Heck, I thought the first bullet was a tip from a flag pole. I have never seen a bullet shaped like that.
I don't think the second one is a 69 but I missed the first one so who knows. Going by the measurements the large bullet looks to be almost 5/8" wide. That equals a 58 cal bullet. A 69 would be almost 3/4" wide. I thought the third one was a 36 cal judging by the measuremments given.
If I am wrong please correct me.

I never had to know much about bulllets because I used to talk to Tom Stelma once in a while. Maybe I should have asked more questions!

I thought both the left and right looked very small, but I'm only familiar with a few types of bullets.

PS... The Civil War Relicman's site used to be good for IDs, but I was just looking at his page and don't see any bullet listings. Maybe I'm just a little wacked right now because they were there for a log time.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I don't want to hijack this thread but would you look at my thread http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,341569.0.html if you haven't already done so, and give me your learned opinion. Thanks and I apologise to Justin for taking up time on his post.

 

[Breezie]

WELCOME to the forum. It looks like to me: #1 .36 Remington Teardrop (very nice bullet I might add) #2 .58 3 Ring Minie #3 .577 Enfield

Super nice finds, Breezie