Old Civil War ammo casing?

[rsret]

I found a brass or copper object while on my first treasure hunting trip several months ago. It is similar to an ammunition cartridge casing. It is about one and one half inch tall and about five eighths of an inch in diameter at the base. A .45 ACP casing will fit snugly into the top. On the end the following is inscribed, "SARTORIUS, INC. DIST. N.Y. MADE IN USA." A while back someone posted a similar object, and someone replied that it looked like a lipstick tube. It looks like an old casing to me, and it was in the area of some Civil War activity. I have looked online at sites showing old ammo . I have also tried to find out about "Sartorius" with respect to any ammo production. I came up dry on both. If anyone has any info or suggestions, please reply. See photos. Thanks.

 

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[lordmarcovan]

It looks like a cartridge casing, all right, but not Civil War. Few brass cartridges were used in the Civil War, with the exception of some repeating weapons the northern armies used. By the Indian Wars of the 1870's, cartridge casings became more common. They were so-called "rimfire" cartridges for the most part, I believe. The firing pin left an impression on the rim of the cartridge.

It wasn't until probably the early 20th century that one begins to see inscriptions like that one cartridge casings, as far as I know- the earlier rimfire casings I've dug are always unmarked. I don't know a whole lot about guns and munitions, but I know a little bit from digging all sorts of gun parts and ammo over the years.

That looks quite modern to me. It might be old, but I would be surprised if it were much older than WW2 vintage.

 

[rsret]

Thank you for the information. The photos looked aweful. I'm going to try to attach something that looks a little better. Thanks.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Sorry.? You're about 100 years too short.? Sartorius Corp. of Edgewood, NY has only been in business since 1960.? They make laboratory anyd filtering equipment.? Those are probably some kind specimen container.? They're a German company that didn't open a US branch until that time.? http://www.sartorius.com/index.php?id=832

Rule of thumb: if an object is stamped "Made in USA" it's probably 20th century to current.

 

[trk5capt]

It is a .45 cal. shell case, Modern Ammo. trk5capt...

 

[DigEmAll]

Trk5Capt? you did the same thing I did.... I looked at the picture and said the exact same thing... then I realized that the object he was talking about was over the the right of the .45 casing.? You have to move the picture over. LOL

 

[Monty]

Not a cartridge casing, no place for the primer and not a pin fire either. Monty

 

[rsret]

The inside of the object is partitioned inside with only the top half being visible from the top opening. The partition has a small hole in it of about one tenth inch diameter. I'm not saying that it is a cartridge casing, but the partition and the hole are very similar to the same in the .45 ACP. The main difference is that in the 45 it's much closer to the bottom of the casing. I assumed that was due to the difference between modern primers and whatever this thing might have used. I thought it might be some type of prototype cartridge for some prototype revolver or carbine that someone may have supplied the military for testing, in hopes of making some sales. About 1905 there was a quarry operation near this site. maybe it could be something involved with blasting. I guess the only way I'll know is to find out what a Sartorius, Inc. might have made in NY, other than the modern German company that makes measuring equipment. Thanks to everyone who offered info. I hope I can figure how to get my pictures of the appropriate size so that all of the horizonal and vertical scrolling won't be needed. Thanks.

 

[nhbenz]

I think it may be a lipstick holder. I seem to recall a past thread with one of those by the same company, but I can't find it. But heres something: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=SARTORIUS+lipstick&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler

 

[rsret]

The Sartorius patented Neuschefer lipstick case is indeed what it is. It's not old ammo. Oh, well, it's still an ok first find. I want to thank you for going to the trouble of looking it up and for sending the link.

 

[southbound]

It could still be worth something to a collector. Hang on to it. Vern