Found these next to eachothe at the battle of Pilot Knob, MO on Private land. Does anyone know if this .38 short colt centerfire could have been used

Ozarkdigger

Greenie
Feb 27, 2017
18
35
Jefferson city mo
Detector(s) used
Whites mxt
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
20241113_093316.jpg
 

Upvote 3
I would say no, I believe the first .38 short center fire was in early 1870s, I might be wrong though
 

Ok thanks!!
On further research I found that it might actually be possible, as I think in 1861 they converted old 1851 cap and ball 38 colts to a centerfire. Haven't looked too hard to what was issued where and when.
 

Cool find !

Warning *** I've had very old rounds go off on their own from expanding gases.
I'd have someone pull the bullet off and dump the powder out if you plan on keeping it
 

On further research I found that it might actually be possible, as I think in 1861 they converted old 1851 cap and ball 38 colts to a centerfire. Haven't looked too hard to what was issued where and when.
They may have converted some earlier models to use that round, but don’t think that round was invented until mid 1870s
 

They may have converted some earlier models to use that round, but don’t think that round was invented until mid 1870s
That's what I initially thought, but I read something saying that it was they didn't produce a gun specifically for that round until the 1870s, but may have had the round itself earlier? Not sure how reliable the source was
 

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