Vernon in Virginia~Formerly Alaska
New member
[attachment 113959 1.jpg]
[size=large]Well I guess you know that doesn't deter me and most of you. I have to find out for myself if it truly is an unproductive spot. I was there 2 hours, didn't find a whole lot but beats a jab in the eye with a sharp stick
... and proves once again no place is hunted out until Mountain Man and I agree it is 
. The interesting thing, and the worthwhile find of the day, is the round looking ball to the far left of the photo with a hole in it. To the untrained eye it may not look like much, but I recognized it right away as a soldier-made nipple or cone protector for a Civil War musket, made from a lead bullet. [/size]
[attachment 113960 2.jpg]
[size=large]Like I said, the nipple protector was made from a lead bullet, and here is exactly how he did it. He took an issue "cleaner bullet" on the left; he took out the scraper on the bottom which left a hole in the lead that goes up into it about a half inch. He then took a knife, cut the top half of the bullet off, gingerly whittled down the sides to the proper size, then cut a hammer groove in the top. This would then fit over the nipple cone (see picture below) allowing the hammer to rest on the lead protector, protecting the cone. I love finds like these where a soldier made something with his own hands from something else to serve a purpose. [/size]
[attachment 113961 Conephoto.jpg]
[size=large]The photo above is to clarify what I'm talking about for those who are not up on Civil War muskets. Below this picture is an issue nipple or cone protector that usually came with the musket. The chain was attached to the musket on the sling swivel so it wouldn't be lost. However during the rigors of war, they tend to get snagged off, therefore causing a soldier to make his own from a lead bullet... cool.[/size]
[attachment 113962 protector.jpg]
[size=large]Well I guess you know that doesn't deter me and most of you. I have to find out for myself if it truly is an unproductive spot. I was there 2 hours, didn't find a whole lot but beats a jab in the eye with a sharp stick
... and proves once again no place is hunted out until Mountain Man and I agree it is . The interesting thing, and the worthwhile find of the day, is the round looking ball to the far left of the photo with a hole in it. To the untrained eye it may not look like much, but I recognized it right away as a soldier-made nipple or cone protector for a Civil War musket, made from a lead bullet. [/size][attachment 113960 2.jpg]
[size=large]Like I said, the nipple protector was made from a lead bullet, and here is exactly how he did it. He took an issue "cleaner bullet" on the left; he took out the scraper on the bottom which left a hole in the lead that goes up into it about a half inch. He then took a knife, cut the top half of the bullet off, gingerly whittled down the sides to the proper size, then cut a hammer groove in the top. This would then fit over the nipple cone (see picture below) allowing the hammer to rest on the lead protector, protecting the cone. I love finds like these where a soldier made something with his own hands from something else to serve a purpose. [/size]
[attachment 113961 Conephoto.jpg]
[size=large]The photo above is to clarify what I'm talking about for those who are not up on Civil War muskets. Below this picture is an issue nipple or cone protector that usually came with the musket. The chain was attached to the musket on the sling swivel so it wouldn't be lost. However during the rigors of war, they tend to get snagged off, therefore causing a soldier to make his own from a lead bullet... cool.[/size]
[attachment 113962 protector.jpg]