American Civil War era Minié ball style bullet, used in muzzle-loaded rifled muskets. The bullet is made or lead and conical in shape, it has the characteristic tri-ring pattern of grooves in the base as well as a recessed in the bottom which is intentionally designed to cause as much damage as possible when fired. One side of the bullet has been completely flattened, creating a piece that protrudes from the side as well as slightly warping the bottom, other than that the side opposite the flattening has remained entirely intact. There is a brown and white patina beginning to form on the surface of the bullet, this is considered to be a normal sign of age in lead objects.