WHITWORTH ID QUESTION

[PIA]

Recently recieved a dropped Whitworth bullet dug in New Orleans.  It is a match for specimen #65 in A HANDBOOK OF CIVIL WAR BULLETS & CARTRIDGES by, of course, Thomas & Thomas.  Was wondering why this projectile type is not shown in ROUND BALL TO RIMFIRE, PART FOUR.  Is there a question as to its use in the Civil War?  The specimen has a shallow dish base with a dot in the center of it.
Best regards,
Gary     

[Pete George]

  Perhaps you have an older, obsolete version of the T&T "Handbook Of Civil War Bullets & Cartridges."  In the Revised 2007 Edition, on page 25 it says T&T-65 has a cone cvity.  At the bottom of that page there is a photo showing three bullets, with text saying:
 ".45-70 Sharps -- Previously believed to be Whitworths, these have since been identified as coming from post civil war Sharps metallic cartridges (1876-1880s).  Dished base with [raised] dot in center.  Long and short variants."

Regards,
Pete

[acwbullets]

Pete is correct. It is another version of the .45/70 sharps.

Here is an excellent of a fired one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIVIL-WAR-BULLET-WHITWORTH-HEXAGON-CONFEDERATE-VERY-RARE-NICE-PATINA-/261090588707?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cca363823

Please notice the hexagonal shape on this one from being fired. The hex shape is actually made from the rifling.

[PIA]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I had concerns about this bullet type.  My HANDBOOK OF CW BULLETS & CARTRIDGES is the one from 1996.  Sold one of these bullets dug at the same location to a collecter on the East coast about 10 years ago.  Will try to contact him and give him a refund.  None of us is purfect, but we all hope to be more better.
Thanks again.