First farm hunt ... button and ball

[lenmac65]

I hunted my first farm field. It is an inactive farm, so I had to wait for the grass to go dormant and settle down. While I did not get the extraordinary finds I often see on this forum, I was happy to dig my first button and a round ball. For the button, I am thinking late 1700s or early 1800s. It is just under an inch in diameter (20mm), very thin, light (2 grams), and has no visible markings. As for the round ball, it teeters between 12 and 13 grams, and measures about .525 in diameter. I am thinking it is .54 caliber. I do not see a sprue mark or seam, but I am not sure if those are always present or if it was on the area that has corroded off. It is a nice tan color and I don’t think people have hunted game in that area for many years due to the close proximity to houses, so I am hoping it’s old. If anyone has opinions as to the age of either item, I would be most grateful. Thanks for looking. (Sorry for the photo orientation ... I am technically challenged!)

 

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[goldhungry]

Buttons and Roundballs are always a great find.

 

[dirtlooter]

A lot of people would load the round ball with the spruce up so that the ram rod would be pressing or mashing it down. guess the right word would be deform the spruce and not the ball for better accuracy. That was what the old timers explained to me back in the early 70s when I really got into black powder. bound to be some good relics hidden around there. good luck

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice relics!

 

[Whyme]

Nice finds! Congrats!

 

[CRUSADER]

circa 1820 button. The pistol shot is a little tougher to ID without a caliber.

 

[A2coins]

Well done you got a relic hot spot there have fun

 

[lenmac65]

A lot of people would load the round ball with the spruce up so that the ram rod would be pressing or mashing it down. guess the right word would be deform the spruce and not the ball for better accuracy. That was what the old timers explained to me back in the early 70s when I really got into black powder. bound to be some good relics hidden around there. good luck

Thanks for the info, that is helpful. Any guess on age?

 

[lenmac65]

circa 1820 button. The pistol shot is a little tougher to ID without a caliber.

Thanks for the insights. I was hoping for 1700's, but 1820-ish is great. The bullet is 54 caliber, I believe. Do you think it is old, or not enough information or image to opine?

 

[CRUSADER]

Thanks for the insights. I was hoping for 1700's, but 1820-ish is great. The bullet is 54 caliber, I believe. Do you think it is old, or not enough information or image to opine?

I'm not great with weapons & bullets etc... But my guess would be 18th C for the pistol shot.