Deeeeep cavity 69 cal. 3 ringer

[emike123]

One of the pleasant surprises among all the undisclosed puttied shells from that auction was this bullet.  I got a group of .69 three ringers in a jar from "Hancock's 1862-63 camp."  Advertised as 9lbs but weighing in at 6lbs, the bullets were nonetheless a good deal as nearly all were in good shape.  This one has a super deep cavity (only one of the 100 with that) of 0.655in.  That is over 60% of the bullet length for the depth of cavity which in my experience is rare. 

Now I know this is pretty esoteric stuff, but it is the kind of find that gives Jim T a big chubby and seeing as it is Father's Day, I thought I would make my annual pilgrimage over to the bullet board to show the leadheads this Father's Day surprise.

[ETEX]

Mike, is that a conical or plug cavity. If it is conical that is Deeeeep!!! The deepest conical cavities on the 69's I have run around .533.

[emike123]

Yes, it has a conical cavity.  Definitely an oddball...

[LeonVa]

I guess I am coming out of lurker status for this one.  It appears to be a ST09-070, I have a couple of these.  The cavities measure about 0.665 on mine and the length is about the same.  I would consider them a lovell cavity, both of mine have small teats.  This bullet also has a somewhat distinct round nose which looks to be the case with yours also.  Perhaps I'm off just thought i would add my two cents.  Nice to see a bullet post it has been awhile.

[Jim T]

I just pick up one of these also. 1.117 long with a .660 deep cavity. My specimen has a plug cavity with a "dot" or teat at bottom.

[LeonVa]

Any chance these were made at the Frankford Arsenal?  They seem to be dead ringers for the TT185 except the cavity is deeper.  The nose profile, rings, diameter, and length all seem to match.  Mine even appear to have the same faint compression ring that the TT185 has.

[Jim T]

Had a neat specimen on the Thomas webpage.

J075 -- Fired .69 cal. Minie

.685 x .987.  Fired.  Heavily rammed with distinct raised ridges along its body showing it to have been fired from a 4 groove musket!  Very deep cavity ~.632 deep.  A ring/groove about half way down the cavity suggests that this was an early musketoon bullet that used a wood plug.  A cool fired bullet.

[Jim T]

 

[emike123]

I have two more of these deep cavity 69s.  Forumites get first dibs before I list one on the web page.  If anyone wants one, drop me an email.