Civil war bullet?

PartywithArty

Sergeant Major
Joined
Oct 20, 2011
I found a bullet a few months ago behind my house after we plowed one of the cotton fields. The bullet is obviously lead,by the the white oxidization, it is a hair smaller than the modern 22. projectile. What exactly is it? Is it a civil war era bullet? Any answers will help.
 
Photos would obviously help.

I have found buckshot before that was very old while metal detecting a site. If not buckshot I dont have a clue what else it could have been.
 
Need a photo.
The .22 short cartridge has been around since 1857. If it is an early .22, the oxidation could account for a smaller diameter. Civil War era .22 bullets would be nearly identical to those from later in the 19th. century.
Just my opinion.
 
bullets found on my property
 

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also,i know both rifle bullets are yankee but why is one pointed and one rounded at the top?
 
I have seen this bullet jp is talking about. It is smaller then a 22 it doesn't look like buckshot.

You are right. His dont look like a buckshot.

Could it be a more modern .22 caliber bullet though. Just the bullet without the casing though?
 
You are right. His dont look like a buckshot.

Could it be a more modern .22 caliber bullet though. Just the bullet without the casing though?
its just a hair smaller than a modern .22 projectile.. I dont know if a modern bullet would oxidize like that.. especialy unless its been around for a long time..it could be a modern bullet though..I have no clue.
 
its just a hair smaller than a modern .22 projectile.. I dont know if a modern bullet would oxidize like that.. especialy unless its been around for a long time..it could be a modern bullet though..I have no clue.

I have some old .22 lead bullets that have been discarded on the ground a number of years ago and they do funk up like that since they are lead. It could be older......from the ACW times. I cant really tell. Im not a bullet expert either. I just slept at a Holiday Inn one time. :rofl:
 
I have some old .22 lead bullets that have been discarded on the ground a number of years ago and they do funk up like that since they are lead. It could be older......from the ACW times. I cant really tell. Im not a bullet expert either. I just slept at a Holiday Inn one time. :rofl:
LOL hopefully ill find out what kind of bullet this is...but i aint holding my breath..
 
I'll stick to my theory that it is a .22 and the difference in diameter is a result of oxidation.
You might want to check into buying a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges by Dean and Jim Thomas of Thomas Publications. It is a very good resource on Civil War ammunition and affordable.
 
I'll stick to my theory that it is a .22 and the difference in diameter is a result of oxidation.
You might want to check into buying a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges by Dean and Jim Thomas of Thomas Publications. It is a very good resource on Civil War ammunition and affordable.
For it to be that oxidized,how long do you think it has been laying in the field?
 
It's a civil war era .22 bullet. The S&W number one was available since 1857 and was carried by many as a pocket pistol during the war. It is the same as a .22 short. Too much oxidation to be a modern one. Note the base end where the brass casing was attached. Nice and rare to find. The difference in the two minie bullets as to the nose of the bullet is because of the different manufacturers and that they both may be confederate or may be both Union. Without looking firt hand it it hard to tell. The oxidation appears to be in the 150 year range.
 
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