Miller Cornfield bullet

[Nounan]

So I have this bullet I purchased from a Museum because I have become a sucker for things from Antietam. Anyways I am a complete novice and am wondering is this Confederate or Union? It's too deformed to get a accurate caliber measuring. So what say you? Have compared some and really thought it confederate, but then there are some Union....

 

[tbuckley]

This is probably a Union bullet.

 

[tbuckley]

I should have added that you can't be 100% positive since there were three groove Confederate bullets, but most likely Union.
I haven't had coffee yet so I'm not thinking clearly.

 

[upton j.]

Looks like a fired .58 cal. three ring probably Union.

 

[Nounan]

***update, so from what I have seen and from the union 3 ringers I have, this one is a lot more blunt and rounded than the Union. As they tend to be more pointed. Here are some examples of a union and some confederate. Its kinda hard to read the fine yellow print.... But good luck, tell me what ya think.

 

[tbuckley]

Since it's fired, the impact damage to the nose of the bullet makes it very difficult to determine the original configuration.
I suggest that anyone getting started in bullet collecting get a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges by Dean and Jim Thomas. This is the best quick reference for Civil War bullets. Be careful, bullet collecting can be addictive.

 

[Tin cup]

My gut instinct tells me Confederate...too "blunt" in the nose, (in spite of damage) and the skirt looks too thick too.

Kevin Dally

 

[Nounan]

Since it's fired, the impact damage to the nose of the bullet makes it very difficult to determine the original configuration.
I suggest that anyone getting started in bullet collecting get a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges by Dean and Jim Thomas. This is the best quick reference for Civil War bullets. Be careful, bullet collecting can be addictive.

Ever hear of a confederate .65cal round ball?

 

[UCVRelics]

Ever hear of a confederate .65cal round ball?

Your 3 ringer appears to be CS but being fired I can't say for sure but from the shape of the grooves and the base it has me leaning that way. Most 65 cal rd balls are for canister. Just remember that there over 400 different small arms rounds used in the CW. @tbuckley suggested the Thomas book which is a great book but I'm old school.

 

[Nounan]

Your 3 ringer appears to be CS but being fired I can't say for sure but from the shape of the grooves and the base it has me leaning that way. Most 65 cal rd balls are for canister. Just remember that there over 400 different small arms rounds used in the CW. @tbuckley suggested the Thomas book which is a great book but I'm old school.

View attachment 194696

Ya I would love to get that, BUT for $130 for a book, I have to look to other resources

 

[tbuckley]

The McKee & Mason book is a classic but, the books by Dean and Jim Thomas have much more information based on Dean's extensive research. I have the four volumes of Dean's Roundball to Rimfire and his three volume Confederate Arsenals, Laboratories, and Ordnance Depots and I consider them to be essential references for a bullet collector. That said, I still refer to many bullets by the names in M & M, old habits are hard to change.
Bullet collecting can be habit forming. After I had my third stroke, I asked my neurologist, who is a Civil War buff, if handling lead bullets could be hazardous, he said that the lead wouldn't be a problem as long as I didn't chew the bullets.