Anna, a good place to start is with Cartridges of the world : a complete and 
illustrated reference for over 1500 cartridges by Barnes, Frank C., 1918- 
Iola, Wis. : Newton Abbot : Krause ; David & Charles [distributor]
This will give you a good background on the cartridges out there, the 
diameters of the bullets, the basic designs that were in use at the time of 
the civil war, etc. There are other "specialized" books out on the guns of 
the Civil War, but all of my books on that aspect of history are in storage 
while I am finishing up my masters degree in Anthropology in AK.

Hope this helps, at least a start.

Richard W. Galloway


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anna Lunn" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 7:56 AM
Subject: need a reference


> Can anyone recommend a reference for identifying bullets and casings,
> especially from the Civil War period on?
>
> Thanks,
> Anna Lunn