Bullet with fingerprints?

[RobbieD]

Howdy
Has anyone ever dug or seen a bullet with clear fingerprints oxidized into the patina?
I have a .57 ball that has two fingerprints, which correspond to the forefinger and thumb holding the ball. The scan is sort of rough (first scans I ever tried), but it does show some of the larger fingerprint.
I'm just curious if anyone else has run into this. Thanks for any thoughts or comments.
Robbie

[PAPPY]

May be fingerprints BUT it appears to me to be cloth prints where the bullet may have been wraped in a shooting patch.:)

[RobbieD]

Hi Pappy, and thanks for the input. I'm sorry that the scanned image is not very good, but this round ball definitely has visible humam fingerprints, including the circular whorls, within the patina. Under magnification the "lines" are actually the darker original lead rising through the white patina material.

I also have several various bullets in my collection with cloth impressions, from the cartridge or patch material, so I do know where you're coming from. Some of these cloth impressions are amazingly clear!

I wish that I could get a more true-to-life image of this ball. I've collected CW bullets for many years, and have never seen anything quite like it- in viewing this ball in person the fingerprints are very plain.

A theory I have about it was the ball was likely lubricated with grease, which in turn affected the patination process in the areas where it was held when it was made into the paper cartridge, or possibly later when held for an aborted loading or the powder being salvaged.

[PAPPY]

On a GREAT find Robie. Very Very interesting.:)

[RobbieD]

Thank you, Pappy. I'm honored that you think it's a cool find.