Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Harper's Ferry bullet

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    102
    Region:
    Deep South - Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas

    Harper's Ferry bullet

    Gentlemen: I have been hearing about a musket bullet called the Harper's Ferry and am not familiar with it. Would one of you gents please help educate me? Thanks in advance, as always.
    Tom Montgomery, 14th MS

  2. #2
    mike lynch 4731 is offline
    Team:
    Division of Marines-CSS Virginia
    Member
    4731V
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    32
    Region:
    Potomac - Virginia, Maryland and Delaware

    Harpers Ferry Bullet Mold

    http://www.rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/54/lid/1143
    Here is a link that shows a harpers Ferry Mold that was up for auction
    Mike


  3. #3
    mike lynch 4731 is offline
    Team:
    Division of Marines-CSS Virginia
    Member
    4731V
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    32
    Region:
    Potomac - Virginia, Maryland and Delaware

    Harpers Ferry Bullet Mold

    Name:  Harpers Ferry Bullet Mold.jpg
Views: 494
Size:  85.1 KB

    Here is a picture of the mold

  4. #4
    mike lynch 4731 is offline
    Team:
    Division of Marines-CSS Virginia
    Member
    4731V
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    32
    Region:
    Potomac - Virginia, Maryland and Delaware

    Harpers Ferry Slug Bullet

    Quote Originally Posted by mike lynch 4731 View Post
    Name:  Harpers Ferry Bullet Mold.jpg
Views: 494
Size:  85.1 KB

    Here is a picture of the mold
    http://americancivilwarrelics.com/Civil%20War%20Bullets.htm
    The link list shows Harpers Ferry Slug BulletsHarpers


  5. #5
    John Holland is offline Moderator
    Team:
    44th NY Volunteer Infantry
    Member
    00973V
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    2,871
    Region:
    Northeast- New York
    What you want to do is a bit of research on is what is known as the "Burton Ball". That is the American version of the hollow based projectile designed in France by Capt. Claude-Etienne Minie. The American version was designed by James Henry Burton while Master Armorer at the Harper's Ferry Armory, with the final version settled upon in 1854. In many circles this was known as the "Harper's Ferry Bullet". To those of us who admire J.H. Burton it is still the "Burton Ball"! I would recommend reading "From Under Iron Eyelids", by Thomas K. Tate. This is the most complete biography of James. H. Burton I have ever read. You will be amazed at his accomplishments.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Sherman's Kitchen, GA
    Posts
    980
    Region:
    Deep South - Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas

    William Greener (1806-1869)

    William Greener (1806-1869) British gunmaker and inventor who developed an early self-expanding rifle bullet, a predecessor of the later widely used Minié projectile. A number of inventors had already devised self-expanding bullets when, in 1836, Greener developed such a bullet consisting of a ovloidal conical ball with a cavity in which a metal plug was inserted. When the gun fired, the plug drove forward and caused the bullet to expand and engage the rifle grooves. Greener submitted his invention to the British government, but it was rejected; later, when a French captain, Claude Minié, received £20,000 from the British government for a similar bullet, Greener sued for plagiarism and ultimately was awarded £1,000. Greener was the author of several books on gunnery; he also patented inventions in other fields, such as a process (co-invented by W.E. Strait) for the manufacture of pencils from the hard graphite carbon deposited in the interior of gas retorts. His son, William Wellington Greener (1834–1921), invented a new type of shotgun mechanism and wrote several books, including The Gun and Its Development (1881).
    First Cousin (7 times removed) to Brigadier General Stand Watie (1806-1871), CSA
    1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles | Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation 1862-66

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Vandalia, Ohio
    Posts
    1,105
    Region:
    Midwest - Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

    Burton Ball drawing.

    Regards,


    Phil Spaugy

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Huntsville
    Posts
    3,733
    Region:
    Deep South - Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas
    I find it fascinating that with many of these early designs it was assumed that there had to be a mechanical object being forced into the bullet to enlarge it, instead of just the gas of the powder explosion itself.

    Steve

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    102
    Region:
    Deep South - Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas

    Harper's Ferry bullet

    You gentlemen never cease to amaze me in the depth of your knowledge and willingness to share with us new guys. Thanks! Tom
    Tom Montgomery, 14th MS

Similar Threads

  1. For Sale:Harper's Ferry Maynard
    By david eye 10882 in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 05-16-2013, 04:19 PM
  2. FS-Harper's Ferry 55 Custom Shooter
    By twines in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-20-2011, 10:06 AM
  3. Conversion of Harper Ferry rifle to Fayetteville
    By 54thvareb in forum Small Arms
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-11-2010, 07:14 PM
  4. HARPER'S FERRY MAYNARD
    By Will in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 02-01-2010, 08:16 AM
  5. 1855 Harper's Ferry Rifle
    By Jim Brake 3587 in forum Wanted/For Sale Items
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-23-2009, 09:45 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •