Fishing Sinkers Made From Bullets

[Barrycdog]

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War Between the States Collectors Page

 

[Frederick14Va]

The use of these for this purpose wasn't confined to just the war era either. Post war the local civilian population were well known to make such use of these old lead bullets from the war also.

As an example my grandmother grew up in Richmond Va.... (many) years ago when I was a teen I had returned home from a relic hunting trip when she was visiting... she looked at a pile of minie balls I had found that day and stated when she was a small kid (1910-20 era) her father routinely found, fashioned and used these as fishing sinkers.. she was a bit confused by the revelation when I told her they were actually civil war era bullets... she had only ever known them as fishing sinkers...

 

[MRB1863]

I'm sure they make good sinkers! A shame to use a good Civil War bullet for that purpose. But, again here we are witnessing American ingenuity. I'll trade some new sinkers for some good CW bullets!!!

 

[12th Missouri Yankee]

This is a really interesting thread. I did some research in books and online and found out that pig's teeth are remarkably similar to human molars, and the "chewed bullets" with imprints may well be marked by pigs rooting in the earth. I know this is not new information but I enjoy learning about CW bullets.

 

[LoyaltyOfDogs]

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Thanks for sharing this; we'd never heard of it. The phrase "swords into plowshares" comes to mind . . .