Question About Minie Bullets

[Lincoln56]

Apologies if previously explained in this forum; if so, perhaps someone can provide a link; as didn't find a topic though perhaps my search words were poorly chosen.

In relic books I've seen references to two ring versus three ring bullet examples. Often the description includes verbiage that a two ring minie is confederate while a three ring is federal.

What is the origin and basis for this? Is this indeed correct and can be 'taken to the bank'? If so why, and what's the story behind it?

Would think either side could and would purchase, or produce and use either two or three ringers.

 

[bdtex]

Hopefully, some of our more learned members will come along and kick some information in.

 

[UCVRelics]

Would think either side could and would purchase, or produce and use either two or three ringers.

You are correct. When it comes to CW ammo you can't take anything to the bank. The CS Army did have more different type guns and ammo then the US Army and the 3 ringer was one of the top bullets in their inventory, the fact that a 3 ringer and a 2 ringer can be labeled to one side is far from the truth. Good example is the yankees that took Vicksburg traded there guns for the superior CS imported Enfield. Also, the biggest supplier of munitions to the CS was the US Army. Keep in mind there was over 400 different types of ammo used during the CW.

 

[BCS1973]

Interested in following this thread. A colleague of mine owns some property that was used as a Confederate camp during the North Anna Campaign. He brought in some buttons he found along with "no ring" minnie's.

 

[CowCavalry]

Interested in following this thread. A colleague of mine owns some property that was used as a Confederate camp during the North Anna Campaign. He brought in some buttons he found along with "no ring" minnie's.

That sounds like an Enfield bullet.

 

[tbuckley]

I would suggest that you get a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges by Dean S. and James E. Thomas. It is a very good basic reference for Civil War bullets and not expensive. I Believe that it is available from Amazon.

 

[Lincoln56]

I would suggest that you get a copy of A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges by Dean S. and James E. Thomas. It is a very good basic reference for Civil War bullets and not expensive. I Believe that it is available from Amazon.

Thank you for this recommendation and thank you @ucvrelics for your post #3 explanation

One thing I didn't consider with the identification of confederate or union text descriptions. The description may be based on which side was camped in the area where the minies were discovered, though of course both sides occupied the same campareas from time to time.