A
Anonymous
Guest
I agree with GaReb on the "O"; it's the cut off base of a minie. The iron piece could be from a wood stove. Some of the stove stands were decorative. As for the bullet Dave questioned, many times a fouled barrel would prevent the bullet from being seated properly. Therefore, a Soldier had to use excessive force (generally they hammered the ram rod butt with anything available) to seat the bullet over the powder. Veteran troops knew that firing their weapon without the bullet being seated over the powder would create excessive pressure, which could result in bursting the breech. Good hunting, David @ Dixie