Williams Cleaner Type I bullet - .58 caliber, Federal bullet

Measures .570 diameter, 1.100 length, zinc disk base, paper cartridge

Dug Orange County, Virginia.

Photos L-R: Williams Cleaner Type I, Williams base with disk, Williams Cleaner Type I with section of disk missing from ground action, Williams Cleaner Type I with no disks (ground action cause many to disintegrate), fired Williams Cleaner Type I, and pulled or wormed Williams Cleaner Type I.

Bullet was invented to help clean the bore of rifles from black powder fouling that built up from frequent firing. A thin zinc disk was attached to the base of the bullet that scraped the bore upon firing. The disks had six slotted slits.This unique round was invented by Ellijah Williams who was issued a patent in early 1862. After approval, the first rounds were issue to Federal soldiers by mid 1862.