Historic Rifling Data Characteristics: Using Forensic Techniques to Further Archeological Inquiry into Firearms Use

Author:

Douglas D. Scott
Adjunct Research Faculty
Applied Anthropology and Geography Program
Colorado Mesa University

Grant P17AP00228

This report was developed under a grant from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, a unit of the National Park Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Park Service or the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.

September 2019

Executive Summary

Most archeologists and curators can only identify a bullet or cartridge case to caliber. This project is an innovative use of microscopically accurate forensic casting technology and testing of digital imaging technology that resulted in a database of rifling characteristics for 788 firearms that can be used to identify some common pre-1900 rifled firearm ammunition components to type, model, or gunmaker. The database includes for each gun listed: land and groove measurements, number of land and grooves, and twist or rifling direction. The database is designed to allow users to identify or at least narrow possible identifications to gun types based on land and groove measurements found on bullets. The information will allow researchers and interpreters to determine with greater accuracy the type of guns used at sites where ammunition components are found, potentially leading to greater accuracy in the interpretation of firearms use, troop deployment, and possibly small unit actions on battlefields. It will also allow a greater understanding of the actual arms used at sites and in battles employing physical evidence as a primary identification method.

The project employed a 3D scanner to make accurate scans of the land and groove casts. The original intent was to link scans to the database, but the 3D scans were found to lack sufficient detail for comparative value. Standard digital photography and panoramic photography were tested for comparison purposes.

Additional information was collected and is presented on firing pin shapes for pre-1900 firearms that fired metallic self-contained cartridges. Firing pin shape varied significantly until the late nineteenth century. Presentation of the firing pin shape information will aid archaeologists and curators in identifying gun types represented by fired cartridges recovered in archeological contexts.

Rifling characteristics of pre-1900 rifled artillery were opportunistically recorded during the project. Rifling data on several Civil War, American Indian War, and Spanish American War rifled artillery are presented as well. These data may aid in identifying cannon type when fired projectile driving bands or sabots are recovered archeologically.

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