This is a .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.

Very few of the letters remain visible on this specimen, otherwise this is in very good condition. A fuse nozzle is found in the cavity.  This nozzle leads to a powder-filled copper vessel in the center of the bullet. “EXPLOSIVE” is written on the bullet

Nearly all recoveries of these rare bullets come from the Chancellorsville or Gettysburg campaigns; this one from Chancellorsville. [jet] [ph:L]

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