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  • shell casings

    • Artifact ID #: 2508
    • Excavation Unit: 5N 8W
    • Level: Unknown
    • Identification: Spent .22 caliber rimfire shell casing. This shell casing is a spent (or fired) shell casing from a .22 caliber weapon, most likely a pistol. A .22 caliber weapon was likely used for hunting small game such as squirrels, marmots, or rabbits, though it could have served a dual purpose as self-defense. Before the 1890s, most firearms used rimfire casings, whereas the primer to ignite the gunpowder was located around the base of the shell. Even today .22 shell casings are rimfire due to their small size. This particular shell casing was made by Phoenix Metallic Company, that only produced ammunition between 1872 and 1888.


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