Bullet and Shell Civil War Projectiles Forum

Relic Discussion => Bullets => Topic started by: Jine on December 02, 2016, 04:06:22 AM

Title: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: Jine on December 02, 2016, 04:06:22 AM

Not mine, darnit, but I believe found in Georgia. Any new theories out there about these? Possibly used as shrapnel in arty rounds? ???

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: tom buckley on December 02, 2016, 12:22:55 PM

I would think that casting iron three ringers for case shot/shrapnel wouldn't be practical since iron or lead roundballs would be adequate. I have no clue about this but, it has obviously been in the ground for a long time. 

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: Jine on December 02, 2016, 06:40:49 PM

I agree Tom that it seems like an impracticality to be molding them out of iron, but am at a loss to determine their purpose. Someone observed that the base diameter appears smaller than the ogive which doesn't do a thing for me in solving the mystery.

Thanks for your reply! :)

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: Steve Phillips on December 03, 2016, 04:44:58 AM

Looks like some sort of plug to me.

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: divedigger on December 03, 2016, 05:18:39 AM

I agree with Steve

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: tom buckley on December 03, 2016, 07:21:38 AM

Maybe a finial??

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: alwion on December 06, 2016, 07:06:43 PM

lead sleeve missing like on an archer shell?  early armor piercer? interesting

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: speedenforcer on December 06, 2016, 09:42:05 PM

I do not think it is a plug of any kind. If it were, wouldn't it be more tapered and solid with no rings. What would be the point of rings on a plug. Not sure about case shot either as someone mentioned, wouldn't it be more efficient to just make them round like they did. What would be the point of making case shot shaped like Minnie balls but larger. Were all known specimens located in same area or in numerous areas. I believe it may be some sort of fence post ornament or some other decorative piece. Could it be the projectile portion of an early small caliber anti aircraft round, don't laugh just throwing out ideas.

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: Jine on December 07, 2016, 08:15:09 AM

Thanks for the replies, guys. I've since discovered it was dug in SE Georgia which adds little to nothing to the story, but it was originally indicated to be .69 in caliber but the story is now it's more like .75. There's been a couple comments here suggesting it might be ornamental and I'm forced to lean that way.

My "Another" in the subject heading was due to this:

http://bulletandshell.com/forum/index.php?topic=486.msg3500#msg3500 (http://bulletandshell.com/forum/index.php?topic=486.msg3500#msg3500)

Thanks again for the inputs!

Title: Re: Another Iron Bullet
Post by: tom buckley on December 08, 2016, 06:42:28 AM

Apparently these were found on a Civil War period site but, what else happened in the area since the Civil War? That may give a clue.
If it is a bit larger than .75 inch, 20mm is about .78 inch.