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Metal Detecting Discussions => Metal Detecting Discussions => Topic started by: jtalbot0001 on February 24, 2019, 09:06:07 PM



Title: Musket Balls
Post by: jtalbot0001 on February 24, 2019, 09:06:07 PM
Hi All,

Sorry if there has been a post on here before but wanted to ask if there is anywhere on the web which can help with the ID of Musket Balls. I have so many now of different sizes etc that I would like to know what age they are and possibly what guns that could have used them?

Many thanks,
Jon


Title: Re: Musket Balls
Post by: Val Beechey on February 25, 2019, 10:45:31 PM
Can’t help with that one Jon.  Chef Geoff was the one for musket balls and fire arms. He only had to look at one and he seemed to know exactly what, where, why. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in secret he knew who as well  >:(
I think we all still miss his knowledge and input.


Title: Re: Musket Balls
Post by: probono on February 25, 2019, 11:44:25 PM
I always went by the bigger they were the earlier they were :) - although I appreciate the different bore sizes.

To some extent how round they were and what the seams look like can be a diagnostic too.

I've just had a quick look online and think this might help:-

http://www.heritagescience.ac.uk/Research_Projects/projects/Projectposters/Conservation_of_Battlefield_Archaeology_project_report_-_Appendix_3 (http://www.heritagescience.ac.uk/Research_Projects/projects/Projectposters/Conservation_of_Battlefield_Archaeology_project_report_-_Appendix_3)



Title: Re: Musket Balls
Post by: Greg on February 26, 2019, 07:34:34 PM
Thanks a Probono, very informative.


Title: Re: Musket Balls
Post by: jtalbot0001 on March 01, 2019, 08:27:22 PM
Thanks for the link Probono! I also found this on PAS: https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/266828

In the link it states the following which may help others:

"From the mid-18th century, however, British forces used just 3 main uniform sizes: Musket, c.31g ball; carbine, c.23g ball and pistol, c.13g ball."

"A study on shot recovered from a Civil War era small arms firing range at Easton Maudit in Northamptonshire by D F Harding (see below for reference), however, has demonstrated that the weight variations for these shot types varied significantly in this earlier period: c.1-7g Buckshot; c.7-16g Pistol; c.16-23g Carbine; c.24-29g Arquebus and Caliver and c.30-48g Musket."

etc etc.

Regards,
Jon


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