Gardiner Explosive Bullet

Gardiner Explosive Bullet - Inventory Number: BUL 454

.58 caliber Gardiner explosive bullet. Samuel Gardiner received patent #40,468 on November 23, 1863 for his exploding bullet or “musket shell.”  This bullet has several distinctive characteristics.  It has a dark color because it was cast of pewter which was harder than lead and would fragment.  On good specimens, “S. Gardiner Jr. Shell Patent Secured” can be found in raised letters around the base.  A fuse nozzle is visible in the cavity.  This nozzle leads to a powder-filled copper vessel in the center of the bullet.

This was recovered along Old Harrisburg Road, northeast of Gettysburg. This area was occupied by Federal troops of the 11th Corps on July 1, 1863.  Several regiments in the 11th Corps were issued these explosive bullets prior to the Battle of Chancellorsville and nearly all recoveries of these rare bullets come from their positions at Chancellorsville or Gettysburg.

Comes housed in 6 x 8 riker display case with black velvet and descriptive card.

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Inventory Number: BUL 454