Nautilus Detector Users Forum

Anyone know just what this item I found with my DMCIIBa is? Someone told me it was a French 16 ga shotgun shell brass end. If it is...I wonder how old it is. It was found at an old site which was the County seat here back in the 1850's. Thanks for looking.

Charles

Its a pinfire cartridge. They were invented in the early 1800's by Casimir Lafaucheux and patented in 1835. I.D. of maker and age is by thickness of base, rounding of the edge etc.
There's a book called "Systeme Lefaucheux" by Chris.C.Curtis that is supposed to be very good in relation to pinfire's in the U.S. though I haven't seen it myself.

Does it say LONDON across your example, if so that knocks the French connection out.

Thanks for the info! No...it says "ONDON". There is no "L". I've never seen anything like this before but I know it is old...definitely 1800's. Thanks again!
BTW...the Nautilus really sniffs out brass items...deep!!

Charles

Rare ones are supposed to be making up to $1000. I did make some notes from a site that suggested that the Confederates favoured Gevelot, Chaudun and Chaudun/Deriviere whilst the Union went with U.S. makes and Fusnot, Foley (of London) and Gevelot. How this was worked out I don't know but its great that the man in the street can end up holding a piece of history in his hand.

After closer observation I can barely see the "L" in front of the lettering. So it does say LONDON.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Charles

Now that was interesting! Loads of information by these guys. Thanks a lot for the info!

Charles

nice one charles,,,it is a 16 guage pinfire cartridge that you have ,,usually black powder charge,,but i have fired smokeless also,,,made in london,,,various makers,,,the E and B indicates size,,i.e. the E usually indicates that the case length was between 65mm and 75 mm in length ,,and the B indicates the nominal diameter of the base to be .774-.775 in diameter,,,cool,,rgds

sorry ,,got that mixed up,,,e and b indicates the shell was made by eley brothers london,,,,,,the g indicates the gauge,,i.e. 16 guage ,,the aforementioned info ,,was to the relationship of diameter and cartrige lengths,,,,rgds ,,