I posted a couple pics of a gun we found researching a 4th Cavalry battle with the Comanche in October 1871.
The gun was sent off and cleaned and some interesting questions (to me anyway) have arisen.
My first impression of the 5 remaining bullets in the gun :
made me think that it was carried by an Indian (Comanche or Tonkawa scout) on that day.
That idea was sort of firmed up by finding a mark on the butt of the gun:
Our research shows that Ordinance Reports from 1871, show that the cavalry carried "Elongated Ball" ammunition:
And we have found Watervliet and Barthalow .44s that seem to be dropped out there:
Our questions to you guys (being experts) are-
Could the bullets in that gun be cavalry? I have seen examples of our elongated ball ammo and these bullets do not have that conical shape BUT have also seen pics of Remington paper cartridge ammo that seem to be much rounder.
Did the cavalry use paper cartridges in 71 or were they using loose bullets and pouring powder?
Have you ever seen a cavalry gun where a "mark" was etched into it like this one? Ever seen anything similar from a Indian?
What's anyone's best guess on this gun?