Can you help me

[diggerthedog]

Hello, I found this musket ball how can I tell how old it is or how can I tell if it is from the civil war.

 

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[Monty]

The only method I know is to know the history of the place where you found it. If it was on or near a civil war skirmish site it probably is. However I don't see much oxidation sign on the surface which I would expect with a ball that had been in the ground that long. What I am referring to is a white powdery film that develops on the surface of lead after being exposed to the elements for a long period of time. Also you need t mesure the diameter in at least three seperate places and take the average to determine the caliber. From the size of it I can tell it was a large diameter ball. If it's .62" outside diameter that is a frequently used caliber of the civil war. If there are other ways to determone someone else chime in. That's about all I know about musket balls. Monty

 

[trk5capt]

Have to agree with Monty, Have to know history of area found. Musket balls were only ammo available for military or civilian use. Have problem here in Charleston S.C. as Rev. & CW sites overlap sometimes just have to compare to relics found at same depth. trk5capt...

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Have to agree with Monty, Have to know history of area found. Musket balls were only ammo available for military or civilian use. Have problem here in Charleston S.C. as Rev. & CW sites overlap sometimes just have to compare to relics found at same depth.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? trk5capt...

I wish we had that problem here in Florida.

 

[trk5capt]

Bigcypresshunter. As a matter of fact you do have the same problem spanish ship wreck reclics mixed with CW and early Indian war relics... trk5capt...