Identification help

[smith693]

I posted a couple pics of a gun we found researching a 4th Cavalry battle with the Comanche in October 1871.

The gun was sent off and cleaned and some interesting questions (to me anyway) have arisen.

My first impression of the 5 remaining bullets in the gun :



made me think that it was carried by an Indian (Comanche or Tonkawa scout)  on that day.

That idea was sort of firmed up by finding a mark on the butt of the gun:





Our research shows that Ordinance Reports from 1871, show that the cavalry carried "Elongated Ball" ammunition:



And we have found Watervliet and Barthalow .44s that seem to be dropped out there:






Our questions to you guys (being experts) are-

Could the bullets in that gun be cavalry? I have seen examples of our elongated ball ammo and these bullets do not have that conical shape BUT have also seen pics of Remington paper cartridge ammo that seem to be much rounder.

Did the cavalry use paper cartridges in 71 or were they using loose bullets and pouring powder?

Have you ever seen a cavalry gun where a "mark" was etched into it like this one? Ever seen anything similar from a Indian?

What's anyone's best guess on this gun?

[Blair]

Smith693,

What are the diameters of the two bullets? What do they weigh?

The first bullet looks to be correct, but, seems too long.
The second bullet looks more like a standard heel base bullet for something like a 44 S&W American or a 46 RF Remington
My best,
Blair

[smith693]

Smith693,

What are the diameters of the two bullets? What do they weigh?

The first bullet looks to be correct, but, seems too long.
The second bullet looks more like a standard heel base bullet for something like a 44 S&W American or a 46 RF Remington
My best,
Blair

Hi Blair,
It may be the angles of photography are throwing things off but they are confirmed as .44s (Watervliet and Barthalow).

[Blair]

smith693,

Photo may be account for it?
My apology. But the nose end of both bullets look too long to fit in the loading leaver cut out in the basic C&B revolver.
Blair

[Arizona Trooper]

I agree with Blair, that looks too long to be a pistol bullet. Do you have measurements? It would be worth checking in Roundball to Rimfire to see what matches.

All the Cap & Ball revolvers used by the army had prepared ammo issued. Most of it was Johnston & Dow cartridges, which used a glazed skin wrapper to hold the powder and bullet. They were reasonably waterproof and fast to load. I suspect that civilians and scouts would have used loose powder and balls.