Lead Balls

[Surfline]

Dear Relic Forum,

I found a few lead balls, which are in the attached picture. It was recommended that I post this information here as you may know more about what they are and how they were used. Any input would be helpful.

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[Canewrap]

Uh, it would really help to have the context in which they were found, like in a farmer's field, at the shore, trashy old site, etc.

 

[ezra]

surfline, They look like muzzleloader balls in different calibers.I know that they had various caibers from around 32 cal up to around 84 cal. Depending upon where you hunt they could be old or new muzzleloader balls

 

[Surfline]

OK. This is progress. What are muzzleoader balls? How were they used? Are they similar to musketballs? What years were they used?

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[Canewrap]

Yes, muzzleloader balls are the same as musket balls. They were in use from the settlement of America until about the time of the Civil War and maybe a little after for those still using old firearms. If they were found spread over a wide area I would say that its possible they were from old firearms, but if you found them within a small area I think its more likely they were in use for something else. The best way to rule in or out the firearm possibility is with a set of calipers that can give you the size. The different calibers had corresponding sizes that would rule them out if they weren't close.

 

[Olddigger2]

Hey Surfline, They could also be shell shot if you are finding any chucks of iron around. Where do you live has a lot to do with the history of these round balls.

 

[Surfline]

What is shell shot?

 

[Canewrap]

Shell shot are usually lead or iron balls that were inside of a hollow artillery shell.

 

[Surfline]

Interesting. When were they used, WWI, WWII, or before? I also posted a pic of some bullets I found.

Thanks,

Surfline

 

[Canewrap]

The hollow artillery shells packed with lead balls were in use up until the late 1800's (taking into account using up unfired inventory for target practice). The bullets you posted are more modern, probably WWII vintage or newer. There were a lot of WWII exercises run on East Coast beaches and might account for the newer bullets. Those lead balls are tough though, without some other artifacts associated with them, they could be almost anything.

 

[Surfline]

Thanks Canewrap.

Surfline

 

[scoop dog]

could be from left to right,around 54,69,58cal.

 

[CSA GHOST]

n/t