Civil War whatz-it and bullet question.

[Baldingboy]

I completed my mission to find a Civil War bullet the other night and wondered if anyone knows what caliber bullet this is. Anything you could tell me about it is appreciated.

I also found a true whatz-it. I suspect this might have been a padlock keyhole cover, but that is only a guess. What I can tell you is that it has a spot that reads, "W&Co" on the front. If anyone can shed light on what this is, please don't hesitate to post or contact me. I think this is copper, but surely not solid copper, since it isn't really soft. It appears to have been painted black at one point, as there are traces of what looks like black paint on it. Thanks for your responses.

Baldingboy







Here is a pic of the bullet. I have propped it up on a quarter in the last picture and I have a nickel leaning against the base for scale. I measured this and it is 11/16th's of an inch.

 

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[stoney56]

BB, could that be WB Co. instead of W&Co. If so, it might be a cover for a Wilson Bohannon padlock.

http://www.padlocks.com/

As for the bullet, it appears to be possibly a .54 cal. I found one very similar to it in Ark. a couple of weeks ago. It's the one on the left with the teeth marks.

 

[Baldingboy]

BB, could that be WB Co. instead of W&Co. If so, it might be a cover for a Wilson Bohannon padlock.

http://www.padlocks.com/

As for the bullet, it appears to be possibly a .54 cal. I found one very similar to it in Ark. a couple of weeks ago. It's the one on the left with the teeth marks.

Stoney,
I think you are dead on with your bullet. I even put my bullet in my hand and it spans the same distance. Now I will have to compare my hand with yours the next time we get together.

I honestly feel the marking on the piece says W&Co rather than WB Co. I have looked that "AND" symbol over and it has a decorative tail that juts out towards the "C". I won't claim this as an absolute, but feel I have a good read on it. Thanks for the information. You may be right. Good hearing from you bro. You all have a Merry Christmas!
Tell the Kansas crew I said Hello and punch Birdie in his belly for me.

Baldingboy

 

[stoney56]

U all 2. But no belly punching till I get my CTH DVD. LOL

 

[Baldingboy]

U all 2. But no belly punching till I get my CTH DVD. LOL

Your wise beyond your years. :P

 

[Montana Jim]

Hey guys...

I use this data base for bullets and cartridges... just sharing the link

http://www.baymediapro.com/collection/bulletsearch.htm

Once in there you can select whatever search option you like to help narrow the bullet search - it's very cool...

You'll find that your's looks like many here, but the base type, weight, diameter, length and caliber will all be key to identifying it.

 

[l.cutler]

If the base is 11/16 that would make it a .69 caliber.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

JENKINS MICHAEL W.& CO. saddlers
and trunk makers, 10 South, dw M. W.
J. 145 w Fayette

 

[bill17042]

On the back side of the brass piece,you can see where there is an "image" where this covered the "keyhole" in the padlock.
Go back and try and find the padlock !!
good luck !

 

[Montana Jim]

JENKINS MICHAEL W.& CO. saddlers
and trunk makers, 10 South, dw M. W.
J. 145 w Fayette

Yup... could also be it!

 

[PBK]

The "W. & Co." item is indeed the drop (keyhole cover) from a mid to late 19th century lock— probably a wrought iron lever "smokehouse" type lock— made by Wilcox & Co. of Middletown, CT. Here's one with a somewhat different drop (they varied widely) but the same mark:

​

 

[Baldingboy]

Hey guys...

I use this data base for bullets and cartridges... just sharing the link

http://www.baymediapro.com/collection/bulletsearch.htm

Once in there you can select whatever search option you like to help narrow the bullet search - it's very cool...

You'll find that your's looks like many here, but the base type, weight, diameter, length and caliber will all be key to identifying it.

Awesome!! Thanks for the link. I will bookmark that. Have a Cool Yule!

 

[Baldingboy]

On the back side of the brass piece,you can see where there is an "image" where this covered the "keyhole" in the padlock.
Go back and try and find the padlock !!
good luck !

JENKINS MICHAEL W.& CO. saddlers
and trunk makers, 10 South, dw M. W.
J. 145 w Fayette

If the base is 11/16 that would make it a .69 caliber.

Gypsy,
Very Interesting. You amaze me with what you are able to find on here. Thanks for the post.

bill17042,
OMG, how did I miss that. Great callout! I will definetely go back and look for the lock.

cutler,
Thanks for the info. It's a big sucker, so that sounds right.

 

[Baldingboy]

The "W. & Co." item is indeed the drop (keyhole cover) from a mid to late 19th century lock— probably a wrought iron lever "smokehouse" type lock— made by Wilcox & Co. of Middletown, CT. Here's one with a somewhat different drop (they varied widely) but the same mark:

​

PBK,
Man....you absolutely ROCK this forum. How the h*ll did you find that picture?! You are simply amazing. I am going out today to the humane society and buying three cats. I am going to name one P and the second one B and the third one K!!

 

[PBK]

I am going out today to the humane society and buying three cats. I am going to name one P and the second one B and the third one K!!

LOL! Whoa... talk about cruelty to animals!

Thanks, BB... and slip 'em an extra saucer of cream!

​

 

[Baldingboy]

LOL! HaHaHaHa!!!!!!!!!