Nessler Shot

By Crusader1307

An early evolutionary “Cousin” to the better known “Minie” Ball (Bullet), The Nessler Shot was designed in the 1830s in Europe, as a way of increasing accuracy with smoothbore rifles (non-rifled). The Nessler was a conical shaped bullet which featured a hollowed end. The skirting around the Round was slightly raised. Once placed in the Barrel (and fired), The Nessler would expand due to the Powder Gases and form a makeshift “seal”. The resulting of which created increased velocity and trajectory. Seen in brief use in the early years of The Crimean Conflict of the 1850s, The Nessler Round design was briefly experimented with in The United States, but was abandoned with the advent of The Minie Ball and resulting rifling of firearm barrels.