Civil War Camp Find

[USNFLYR]

I found this item in a known Union encampment area. It is hand made (forged) out of metal. It feels heavier than lead and is not as pliable. Three holes are punched through near one end, and it has a large opening at other end. The three holes are the same diameter. The holes along the side oppose each other and appear to have been punched so that a prong or lever would connect through the openings. These holes not symmetrical. One sits higher, meaning anything inserted would be angled at approximately 45 degrees. The large inner opening appears to have been molded with a spiraling thread, making me believe it was then screwed on to something.

Thanks for any ides about what it could have been used for.

 

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[Yak1366]

Interesting find.

 

[Rookster]

Only a guess. Some caliber carved bullet. It is interesting.

 

[USNFLYR]

 

[USNFLYR]

 

[A2coins]

Trust me someone will ID it these guys are good!!!!!

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet also Tommy

 

[callicles]

Reminds me of the tip to a homemade cleaning rod (the kind you put cloth through to clean gun bore).

 

[DCMatt]

Looks like its tapered at the open end.

Crimped on to a rod or stick? Or inserted into something?

 

[Retired Sarge]

My guess home made cleaning rod guide, so that the muzzle crown didn't get damaged. A damaged muzzle crown will affect accuracy. Tapered to fit in the muzzle, yet flared so not to fit all the way in.

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Huh, cool stuff

 

[USNFLYR]

Thanks Mike. I am researching Ramrod tips, and Ramrod guides...so far, that appears to be the best option. I use to think it was for a water spout on a water barrel...

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks Mike. I am researching Ramrod tips, and Ramrod guides...so far, that appears to be the best option. I use to think it was for a water spout on a water barrel...

Is it exactly the same diameter as a bullet? Hard to tell from your pictures...

If exactly the same, my guess is that it is NOT a ramrod tip.

I can assure you that it is not a cleaning jag.

Here is a clip from the 1858 manual for management and cleaning of the rifle musket. You can see that soldiers used a worm on the end of the ramrod for wiping or swabbing the barrel:

 

[USNFLYR]

Wow. Great illustration Matt! The item is definitely has a larger diameter (bore?) than the standard Minie bullets found in the camp. Knowing my luck, it’ll turn out to have been designed for simple day to day usage... clothesline, tents or cooking!

I will keep searching ...