emike123
Established Users
I figure that (temporarily, I hope - but I did just check again) absent the ability to upload pictures we need some extra creativity to stimulate interest. One of the things we had discussed was a commentary on the bullets by McKee and Mason number.
I’ll be the first penguin to dive into these sea lion infested waters and start with #s 1 through 15. Feel free to follow or attack, the discussion is desired. If this works at all, we can do the next batch in a week or so.
#1 is a solid base Whitworth Hexagonal bullet. Wouldn’t you know the first one is filled with controversy, how appropriate. I think there is a question about whether these are war period produced. I think they for sure were produced afterwards, but were any used in the American Civil War? John Morrow’s excellent book on The Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooters, displays some, one of which appears to be dug. Have to hear from others on this, but the vast majority of the war period Whitworth bullets I have seen have cavities and the vast majority of the war period hexagonal ones I have seen, perhaps all in person, are fired.
#2 has the Cosmopolitan profile but is the smallest diameter of them, and the only one < 0.52” at 0.511”. Similarly, #3, for the Perry Carbine according to M&M, is the largest diameter one and the only one over 0.55” at 0.556”. As mentioned in the write-up below, this is identified as a low dollar bullet in the NSTCW price guide, but I have measured a bunch of them and never found one > 0.55” in diameter.
Thomas and Thomas say #4 and #7 are the same bullet. #5 is very similar, but mine clearly has the imprint of a linen (vs. paper) cartridge as noted in the book. #8 looks to be the same to me, but there are minor measurement differences and I have identified a few and marked them as distinct types in my own collection. If there is a significant distinguishing characteristic between them, I have forgotten and welcome comments.
#6 is fired, no more need be said.
#s 9 & 10 are listed as fired in T&T, not much is said about them in Tom Stelma’s book, but I am pretty sure our own Bill Ewing thinks they are not fired but legit. Lets hear it Bill.
#s 11 and 12 are pretty close and some sources say 11 is fired and others say #12 is fired. I have ones in my collection close enough to each so I think they may be different bullets. The lower body portion of the bullet is not as long before tapering to the nose as the Cosmos above.
#s 13 and 14 are fired. #15 looks possibly carved to me, but is not mentioned as such on Tom Stelma’s CD.
Bring it on folks. I am interested in your opinions.
I’ll be the first penguin to dive into these sea lion infested waters and start with #s 1 through 15. Feel free to follow or attack, the discussion is desired. If this works at all, we can do the next batch in a week or so.
#1 is a solid base Whitworth Hexagonal bullet. Wouldn’t you know the first one is filled with controversy, how appropriate. I think there is a question about whether these are war period produced. I think they for sure were produced afterwards, but were any used in the American Civil War? John Morrow’s excellent book on The Confederate Whitworth Sharpshooters, displays some, one of which appears to be dug. Have to hear from others on this, but the vast majority of the war period Whitworth bullets I have seen have cavities and the vast majority of the war period hexagonal ones I have seen, perhaps all in person, are fired.
#2 has the Cosmopolitan profile but is the smallest diameter of them, and the only one < 0.52” at 0.511”. Similarly, #3, for the Perry Carbine according to M&M, is the largest diameter one and the only one over 0.55” at 0.556”. As mentioned in the write-up below, this is identified as a low dollar bullet in the NSTCW price guide, but I have measured a bunch of them and never found one > 0.55” in diameter.
Thomas and Thomas say #4 and #7 are the same bullet. #5 is very similar, but mine clearly has the imprint of a linen (vs. paper) cartridge as noted in the book. #8 looks to be the same to me, but there are minor measurement differences and I have identified a few and marked them as distinct types in my own collection. If there is a significant distinguishing characteristic between them, I have forgotten and welcome comments.
#6 is fired, no more need be said.
#s 9 & 10 are listed as fired in T&T, not much is said about them in Tom Stelma’s book, but I am pretty sure our own Bill Ewing thinks they are not fired but legit. Lets hear it Bill.
#s 11 and 12 are pretty close and some sources say 11 is fired and others say #12 is fired. I have ones in my collection close enough to each so I think they may be different bullets. The lower body portion of the bullet is not as long before tapering to the nose as the Cosmos above.
#s 13 and 14 are fired. #15 looks possibly carved to me, but is not mentioned as such on Tom Stelma’s CD.
Bring it on folks. I am interested in your opinions.
