Old bullet and bits ID help

silversurfer1111

Hero Member
Jul 14, 2012
808
715
Massachusetts
Detector(s) used
GARRET AT PRO ..Whites Classic SL. . modified 9 Function Metal Detector from Harbor Freight tools
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Found this old bullet next to a Grist Mill Foundation in the woods of Vermont , just trying to get an idea of how old the site might be , thanks for looking ! :notworthy:
20201207_132905.jpg
20201207_132701.jpg
20201207_132627.jpg
20201207_132843.jpg
 

Upvote 4
I think your bullet is a civil war 3 ringer but if you found it in Vermont that is a little odd. I am no expert on bullets so I may be wrong.
 

Such calibers were used around North America for hunting (besides being used in the civil war), so no surprise in Vermont. Probably about the same time frame, though.
 

Yes, nice, and it is a CW period minie ball. Probably used for deer hunting.
 

There really is no way to tell how old it is. You can buy a new bullet mold today and cast the exact bullet. Bury it in wet garden fertilizer and in one month it looks like it has been in the ground for 150 years.
My uncle deer hunted in the '70s with a replica 1863 Springfield rifle made in Italy and cast .58 cal. bullets for it. They were 3-ringers and dead-ringers for civil war bullets. Very effective; similar size, weight and power to a modern 3" 20 gauge deer slug.
 

cool thanks for all the cool info !
 

I've found a couple of fired ones in Connecticut at very old park sites that were hunted a lot in the late 19th and early 20th century. Could be military surplus used for hunting after the Civil War or from a Civil War vet's rifle that he kept after the war for hunting... I guess not all Civil War period military items are found on the battlefields.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top