Guns and mine balls

[Older The Better]

I didn’t want to hijack anyone’s thread but another poster talked about being surprised to find a mine ball because there were no close battles, I’m in the same boat here in Kansas. But this area was settled shortly after the war and soldiers were only required to homestead for two or three years not five so it attracted a lot of veterans. You would think they would have brought guns and such with them and mine balls would be an occasional find, but I haven’t found a single one. I was wondering did they have to return their weapons after the war? Or was a mine ball overkill for hunting and maybe more expensive than a round ball? Just kind of wondering why I have a couple hundred round balls and not a single mine ball.

 

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[BAW]

At the end of the Civil War, Union soldiers were allowed to purchase their issue arms for a nominal price. Also, into the 1890’s surplus muskets and ammunition were available at give-away prices, so minie balls are apt to wind up almost anywhere. However, it is possible that your area of Kansas was not settled until large game had become scarce, thus limiting the number of minie balls used.

 

[Gare]

One can be for EVER trying to figure out a HOW FIND got to where it was found

 

[ToddsPoint]

Most of those old civil war rifles that were taken home (after paying $7!) were converted to shotguns. A much more practical game gun than a large caliber rifle. After carrying a 12lb rifle for 4 yrs I doubt too many veterans were excited about paying the gov to take it home.

 

[Older The Better]

Good points. Thanks for the information. As far as the large game I forget that deer were basically eliminated from the area for a time, I can see 15-30 in the field most nights but it used to be big news they were coming back so using a mine ball on a rabbit or raccoon wouldn’t make much sense. And I doubt there was much target shooting in 1870’s