What Bullet is This?

[Mason Jarr]

These 10 bullets are the best I've found at an Indian Wars site used from 1865 to around 1870. My guess is they're .58 cal Sharps, but I can't find a positive ID on them. Any details would be appreciated.  I used one of the best condition bullets to take my measurements and here they are:

Base Dia: .580"
Length: 1.059"
Weight: 453gr

Of the ten bullets the lowest weight was 431.4gr, the highest 457.6gr and the average 444gr.

Thanks up front!
Mike

[vcorps70]

They appear to be ?ring tail? Sharps rounds to me.

[CarlS]

I agree that they look like a .52 caliber ring tailed sharps to me as well.  This is Thomas and Thomas number 120 in their handbook.  They show the diameter as 0.546.  Being a breach load the bullet diameter is slightly more than the carbine caliber.

[Mason Jarr]

Thank you, both. I had looked at #120 in the T&T, but thought there might be a better fit since the diameter, length and weight were off from those listed...a good bit. I'll update my records as a .52 cal Sharps. I have more to come....a few more for long guns and then quite a few for pistols.

[Jim T]

There are specimens of this profile for the .56 caliber Sharps rifle. I think Emike even purchased one at the auction of Dean's bullet collection.