Minie Ball 19th Century Civil War Crimea patinated projectile

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

The item shown in the photo is a 19th-century Minié ball, typically used during the American Civil War and the Crimean War. The projectile has a characteristic cylindro-ogival shape, with a rounded tip and a clearly visible hollow base on the photographed side. The surface shows a matte patina, with grayish and brownish hues, indicating long exposure to the elements and the object's age.

The body of the projectile shows traces of oxidation and wear marks, common on this type of historical ammunition found on battlefields or during excavations. No inscriptions are visible on the displayed side, and the metal relief is irregular, with no apparent decoration or marking. The edges of the hollow base are clean but show slight irregularity, typical of the era and the manufacturing processes of these projectiles.

The Minié ball is presented in a golden-decorated case, highlighting its elongated silhouette and color nuances. The lighting emphasizes the granular texture of the surface and the color variations due to natural corrosion. No patch or residue elements are visible on the exposed side.

This historic projectile is a typical example of ammunition used in major 19th-century conflicts, recognizable by its specific shape and hollowed-out base, designed to improve accuracy and range when firing.

The visible side shows no major chipping, only oxidation marks and wear consistent with an antique piece. The general condition corresponds to an old ammunition found on site, with a beautiful homogeneous patina on the exposed surface.

Condition: Used item, sold as is. Shows traces of oxidation, antique patina, superficial wear visible on the photographed surface.

Did you know? The Minié ball revolutionized 19th-century weaponry thanks to its hollow base, which allowed the ball to expand under gas pressure during firing, thus ensuring better sealing and great accuracy. This type of projectile was widely used during the Crimean War (1853-1856) and the American Civil War (1861-1865), marking a turning point in the history of military weaponry.

AFW Reassurance: Careful and fast shipping from France, professional packaging adapted to the fragility of historical objects.

Keywords: Minié ball, 19th-century projectile, Civil War, Crimean War, antique ammunition, ogival bullet, hollow-base bullet, militaria, historical projectile, patinated bullet, old bullet, minié ball