McKee and Mason Taxonomy, Commentary on Bullets 16-70

[Bill Ewing]

Mine measures 0.375-0.38 in diameter and 0.6125 in height.  It also has a distinctive cut sprue mark on the bottom showing it is a base mold bullet.

Rings and profile match the bullet spot on.  In comparison to MM625, MM52 has much less weight and height above the ring which is a mold characteristic and not a short pour since it is base molded.

Sorry - it will stick to my guns that MM52 is a valid bullet.  Now - what exactly is it and what gun uses it?  I will let Jim and Dean research that.  They have me beat in that department.

Bill

[dlw1610]

Any idea what Model Sharps fired M&M 42 and whether a rifle or carbine? 

[Jim T]

dlw,  MM42 is for the "new model" Sharps.  The same bullets and/or cartridges were used in rifles and carbines.

[dlw1610]

Thanks Jim,  I knew it was for the new Model Sharps (replacing the tie-ring) just wondered what model Sharps, i. e. 1861, it was fired in. Several references cite made for use by British in Egypt but they are also found, as was mine, on CW sites.

[Jim T]

Bullets were fired in whatever they fit in.  And even some things they didn't fit in...see the Green Carbine thread and Wes's fired Sharps bullets or any thread on "Stretchies."  Although some weapons had proprietary ammunition, the Sharps isn't really one.  I think I must blame this notion on M&M because the way they listed the various Sharps bullets as being used in specific models of the weapon in their books.