Is it civil war???

[montanagold]

Found this in the yard of an old house today, The oldest thing i had found there the last time i was there was a 1926 penny. Allot of newer stuff i think the house was built in the 1800's. This sure looks like a civil war bullet but its my first so i don't know allot on the subject so any info would be great. I live in Deer Lodge Montana and i don't think there was allot of civil war action in these parts but the town was founded in the 1860's. thanks

 

[JB(MS)]

Looks to be three ring .58 minie, like the Civil War era 58 caliber Springfields shot, but it doesn't appear to have the usual white patina Civil War bullets normally have. I've dug a few Civil War bullets that were off color though so there's a good chance it is from that era.

[attachment 106458 58minie.jpg]

 

[silvernail]

Looks like an old one. The .58 Springfield was in general military use in Montana prior to replacement with the Allin conversions used at the Wagon Box Fight on the Bozeman Trail (1867) and later. Muzzle loading muskets were available as surplus and in common use in rural areas as cheap pot guns even after 1900. Most of those were chopped and sporterized and often had the rifling reamed out for more effective use with small game shot. You can find them listed in the reproduction Sears catalogs from the late '90s and early 1900s, along with other military surplus firearms.