Dropped, Damaged or Fired?

[Rosler]

Hello,
This bullet looked like a dropped minie ball when I first saw it, but it has this interesting vertical dent that I've never seen before...is that just some damage or indication that the bullet was fired? Thanks for your help!

 

[Rosler]

Here are some more pictures:

 

[UCVRelics]

It looks as if its been fired.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Agree it appears to have been fired.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Fired, a rifling mark can be seen.

 

[R. Porter]

I would think rifling marks would be more vertical and show up all around the bullet. Those diagonal lines look like something I would expect from a plow hit. Of course I'm no expert but those diagonal lines would suggest a pretty wicked twist for rifling.

 

[Joe Whitworth]

I would think rifling marks would be more vertical and show up all around the bullet. Those diagonal lines look like something I would expect from a plow hit. Of course I'm no expert but those diagonal lines would suggest a pretty wicked twist for rifling.

A very small area on the left below the diagonal mark shows a bit of rifling's tell tale marking to this old relic hunter's eyes.

 

[Rosler]

Thank you all, I appreciate your answers and expertise. For those who are interested, here's another view of the bullet:

 

[UCVRelics]

One think you have to remember is that over time the rifling wears down especially as much as muskets were fired. Add that to the ground action of the lead its hard to tell.

 

[R. Porter]

Thank you all, I appreciate your answers and expertise. For those who are interested, here's another view of the bullet:

View attachment 562652

The vertical lines on this side look more like rifling marks to me. I have no problem with the idea that the bullet was fired; I just feel those diagonal lines were put there by a plow.