Impacted Minie Ball?

[huskerblitz]

Wondering if someone with more experience than me can verify this?

Weight and size is similar to a dropped minie ball. Thanks!

 

[R. Porter]

Crime Scene Investigation is what you are asking for, I believe. In any case, I suggest taking a bite out of a lead bullet will go a long way towards satisfying your curiosity. I, for one, vote for the pigs.

I don't have to explode a stick of dynamite in my mouth to see what it will do. (I saw a photo in a forensic science textbook years ago that has left me scarred for life). But you are right, I want a crime scene investigation level of analysis.

I read a short article a while back where the author sat down in an archaeologist's office to interview him. The archaeologist picked up a lead Minie ball that was on his desk and told the author where it was found, and from that one piece of information he could tell what month, day, and year, within minutes, by which military unit it was fired and at which military unit it was fired. That in itself is amazing but perhaps not all that unusual, but imagine if he could also identify what the round hit and how the shooter was armed.

At the Little Bighorn battlefield they have been able to trace the paths of individual firearms during the battle and identify existing firearms that were present during the fight.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I don't have to explode a stick of dynamite in my mouth to see what it will do. (I saw a photo in a forensic science textbook years ago that has left me scarred for life). But you are right, I want a crime scene investigation level of analysis.

I read a short article a while back where the author sat down in an archaeologist's office to interview him. The archaeologist picked up a lead Minie ball that was on his desk and told the author where it was found, and from that one piece of information he could tell what month, day, and year, within minutes, by which military unit it was fired and at which military unit it was fired. That in itself is amazing but perhaps not all that unusual, but imagine if he could also identify what the round hit and how the shooter was armed.

At the Little Bighorn battlefield they have been able to trace the paths of individual firearms during the battle and identify existing firearms that were present during the fight.

Using DNA it was possible to identify the individual who was struck, as well.

There is a well respected forensic science at the university here where I live. I have attended a presentation on the Little Big Horn investigations. It is very impressive at how thoroughly meticulous the methodology is.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I don't have to explode a stick of dynamite in my mouth to see what it will do. (I saw a photo in a forensic science textbook years ago that has left me scarred for life). But you are right, I want a crime scene investigation level of analysis.

I read a short article a while back where the author sat down in an archaeologist's office to interview him. The archaeologist picked up a lead Minie ball that was on his desk and told the author where it was found, and from that one piece of information he could tell what month, day, and year, within minutes, by which military unit it was fired and at which military unit it was fired. That in itself is amazing but perhaps not all that unusual, but imagine if he could also identify what the round hit and how the shooter was armed.

At the Little Bighorn battlefield they have been able to trace the paths of individual firearms during the battle and identify existing firearms that were present during the fight.

Page seven should answer your questions.

https://www.txhas.org/PDF/newsletters/2019/2019%20January%20Profile.pdf

 

[R. Porter]

Using DNA it was possible to identify the individual who was struck, as well.

There is a well respected forensic science at the university here where I live. I have attended a presentation on the Little Big Horn investigations. It is very impressive at how thoroughly meticulous the methodology is.

I'm jealous! Of course UT has the Body Farm, so it's way out in front when it comes to forensic science.

 

[R. Porter]

Page seven should answer your questions.

https://www.txhas.org/PDF/newsletters/2019/2019%20January%20Profile.pdf

Nice article, but now I have to buy another book.

 

[Brokenbear]

The first picture evidences traces of rifling groove parallel to the bullet's axis of rotation so it was from a rifles barrel

I do not think impact could remove every instance of 360 degrees of multiple lube rings that the Enfield type bullet would exhibit

Not knowing the caliber nor weight and with only the comparison picture beside the Enfield type bullet makes this a SWAG guess of a .54 cal Starr Carbine bullet (US Forces) ..however ...

You must remember that both sides fought with like or similar weapons and both side were constantly looking for improved munitions
(rate of fire, accuracy, field maintenance etc) not to mention the CSA's desperate need for imported munitions ...

Hence England, Austria and others supplied millions of bullets to the CSA and to some extent the USA ..in this respect of need as well as improvements ...Paper patched bullets were sourced ..and those bullets were for sure for .54 cal for starters

What I cannot recall was if they were "papered up" and also used in .58's ..most paper type bullets would have no reason for lube grooves none the less ring but paper wrapped bullets did not always escape the rifiling

 

[Joe Whitworth]

Brokenbear said:
"I do not think impact could remove every instance of 360 degrees of multiple lube rings that the Enfield type bullet would exhibit"

There were no lube grooves on Enfield bullets.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Brokenbear said:
"I do not think impact could remove every instance of 360 degrees of multiple lube rings that the Enfield type bullet would exhibit"

There were no lube grooves on Enfield bullets.

Not to mention the itty bitty wooden plug hole.

 

[Brokenbear]

Duh ...You are correct gents ..I was thinking Springfield but talking Enfield so my bad ..forget the interruption please