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Any Dumb Blog Post I May Make

As much as I try to educate myself about things before I post something extremely stupid online (or say it in person) I share this story with you.

Besides knives I find myself very interested in Civil War history. I had family who fought on both sides in that war and have photo, letters and even a diary.

Recently when I was looking for knives on eBay I saw an 1854 Half-Dime for sale that had been dug at a campsite in Virginia now on private land. It was inexpensive $12...so I sent for it. I enjoyed it so much I looked at other items the people had and found a .54 Caliber bullet dug in the ame area.

It was posted something like this:

.54Cal bullet, 72MM from a Sharps & Hawkins.

Well I know what a Sharps is. I have always wanted one of those rifles, but they are too crazy expensive.

But here was my chance to get close to one of them. So I bought it. I assumed the 72MM was the size. Millimeters.

I got the bullet (it is heavy!) and a few days ago saw a listing online for a similar bullet. .54 Cal 72MM.

I wrote to the guy that owns the shop and told him I recently bought one of those bullets. And asked him "Is 72MM the size of the bullet? If so where is the measurement made?" It could be larger or smaller depending on where you measure.

He answered politely "It's from a book about Civil War bullets and weapons. It's the bible and the author gave designations to bullets and they are still what is used today." I wrote back and apologized for being such an fool.

Here I am apologizing in advance.

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In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on March 7, 2012 at 15:59: On some of my staffs I inlet a coin on the top. Mostly Indian Head Nickels and Mercury Dimes sometimes state quarters. I have an order for a special staff and they wanted an older Dime. In my coin collection I aquired a half dime that's bent a little, ruining its nusmatic value. So I decided to use it on this staff. I can't put my hand on it right now, darn thing is some where, but the date I think is 1857.

Comment by Lee Saunders on March 7, 2012 at 14:29: Here is my Half-Dime and .54 Caliber bullet (MM72) for those who want to see them. Thanks!!

Comment by Lee Saunders on March 7, 2012 at 13:43: Wow that must be some real nice staff Robert. What year is the Half-dime you are using? And why a half-dime if you don't mind??

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on March 7, 2012 at 10:09: Speaking of Half Dimes, I'm inlaying one on the top of a very special staff I'm making. Neat story.