Does anyone recognize these slugs?

[Jeff L]

I found these on a river bank in Annapolis MD when I was a kid. Does anyone know what kind of rifle these came from and how old they are? The one on the right is a .45 ACP for size comparison. I didn't have a micrometer, but they are very close or slightly larger than .45.



thanks much

-Jeff L

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[Pete D.]

No, I can't but they remind me of a couple of NEI designs (NEI Handtools) in .458. The pics show a hollow base. The NEI that comes closest is a 440 grain GC. I wonder if, years ago, they made a HB version. NEI has a 405 HB that is very much like the slugs in the pic but has a RN not a FN.
Best I can do for now.

[MEHavey]

`Agree w/ Pete D.

Look at 4th-down/left side NEI mould pic here (showing thick-walled/hollow base). The more flattened nose on your left-most fired projo (may) be a function of hitting the mud.

[Your] fired projo on the right may be a commercial
round as I've never seen that style hollow base.

How long ago were they found?

[Jeff L]

I found them in the early 70s, along the Severn River bank outside the the Naval Academy, nowhere near the rifle range which at the time was on the other side of the river several miles away. They almost looked like they were fired into the bank from a boat. I shoot Springfield 03s and I'm not very familiar with cast bullets or black powder. Is NEI a modern mould?

Thanks for the input.

-Jeff L

[jmoore]

The rh one looks like an old 45-70 military bullet except for the parting line which my sample swaged ones don't show. The slightly concave base and small hole in the center are the same, though, as well as the grooves and crimp "line".

[Pete D.]

Is NEI a modern mould?

Yes.

Pete

[13Echo]

The hollow base bullet on the left is likely the 1873 405gr bullet for the 45-70. It was the original bullet for the 45-70 and was used to the end in carbine loads. The middle bullet seems to be the 500gr 1881 45-70 bullet. It had a cupped base. The jacketed bullet is from a 45 ACP.

Jerry Liles

[tbeck]

13Echo has the right IDs. The parting line on the center 500 grain govt. bullet is actually a rifling groove mark. Should be 5 more spaced evenly around the bullet (three land and groove will give you 6 lines).

[jmoore]

The original bullets were swaged, yes? (not counting field reloads). My understanding is that swaging bullets started w/ the 58 cal rifled musket.