Old bullet---Help

[Merf]

I found these in a field and would appreciate any info on when these balls and this bullet were used. [approx] TIA

[Tom Henrique]

merf,

Can you post some measurements please?

Thanks,
TomH

[Merf]

Tom I measured with a micrometer.
The three ring bullet is .525 inches in diameter and .830 inches long.
The balls are .635--.500--and .340 inches in diameter.
TIA any info is apreciated.

[Tom Henrique]

Merf,

The bullet with the three grooves is a fired .52cal Merrill Carbine. You can see the rifling clearly on that one.

Roundballs were used in everything from small pistols and revolvers to heavy caliber longarms. Diameters vary greatly, even within one specific caliber set. It looks like you have a .36, a .54 and a .69 caliber there. Roundball calibers are a best guess situation since we do not know if the ball in question was intended to be loaded naked (the ball, not the shooter) or with a patch. The diameter of a patched ball needs to be considerably smaller than the bore to allow room for the patch.

Hope this helps,
TomH

[NB Digger]

Merf,
Welcome and glad you came by! Tom is very very knowledgable about CW bullets and I figured he could give a positive ID! I thought it might be a Merril as I stated in my other post at the other site! I am still learning though and it is good to have Tom here to help with these things! Thanks Tom!!!!
Hope to see more finds Merf!!!
Travis

[Merf]

Thank you guys for the good information on the bullets.
Best luck on your hunts.