Lead Ball Found - What is it?

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Hello everyone!

I found this today at the base of an 80 year old pine tree. It was about 3" down and shows little to no corrosion. It's made of lead and measures 15mm or a 1/2". It was made in a two piece mold as you can clearly see a seam and there's also some evidence of "hand finishing" (hammering) on the exterior. What really has me stumped is the small protrusion on the side? I know it's not 150 years old, but are we talking about something that was made in the past 50 years? I found this at the base of an old pine tree in a high school side yard. The school was built in the early 1920's and the area is surrounded by houses! I just can't figure out how it ended up there? I was thinking maybe a lead shot for a slingshot?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Dave

 

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[DevilDog812]

i think it is an old musket ball
the little bump is probably overspill from the mold still attached. im not expert though

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

i think it is an old musket ball
the little bump is probably overspill from the mold still attached. im not expert though

That was my first thought as well . . . but there's little signs of any corrosion, maybe the pine needles kept it pristine?

Thanks buddy!

 

[Peeber]

I have cast a million of those. I will almost guarantee it is a cast ball. Probably a drop since there is not sign of patching pressed into it or signs of rifling. Though it could be a smoothbore. The hammered look results from it being in a bag with a bunch of other balls. The bump on the side is called a spru. It is from the spot in the mold where the lead is pored in. it is smooth enough the it looks like the mold had a spru cutter on it which would make it a more modern one. This would indicate the ball is not that old.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I have cast a million of those. I will almost guarantee it is a cast ball. Probably a drop since there is not sign of patching pressed into it or signs of rifling. Though it could be a smoothbore. The hammered look results from it being in a bag with a bunch of other balls. The bump on the side is called a spru. It is from the spot in the mold where the lead is pored in. it is smooth enough the it looks like the mold had a spru cutter on it which would make it a more modern one. This would indicate the ball is not that old.

Thanks for all the info Peeber! How old is "not very old"? I know it's not 150 years old, but are we talking about something that was made in the past 50 years? I found this at the base of an old pine tree in a high school side yard. The school was built in the early 1920's and the area is surrounded by houses! I just can't figure out how it ended up there?

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[Sky Pilot]

I agree that an old musketball should be white, but in one spot I hunt we have found hand forged nails from 4-6 inches deep that were not only unrusted but actually pristine.

The foundation of the old homeplace (gone for over 70 years) is overgrown with evergreen pines and the nails under the nettles are perfectly preserved, others on the other side of the foundation

are nearly unrecognizable!


Sky Pilot

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I agree that an old musketball should be white, but in one spot I hunt we have found hand forged nails from 4-6 inches deep that were not only unrusted but actually pristine.

The foundation of the old homeplace (gone for over 70 years) is overgrown with evergreen pines and the nails under the nettles are perfectly preserved, others on the other side of the foundation

are nearly unrecognizable!


Sky Pilot

I too have heard that about items found under pine trees.

Thanks Sky Pilot,
Dave

 

[DevilDog812]

I agree that an old musketball should be white, but in one spot I hunt we have found hand forged nails from 4-6 inches deep that were not only unrusted but actually pristine.

The foundation of the old homeplace (gone for over 70 years) is overgrown with evergreen pines and the nails under the nettles are perfectly preserved, others on the other side of the foundation

are nearly unrecognizable!


Sky Pilot

I too have heard that about items found under pine trees.

Thanks Sky Pilot,
Dave

thats the power of Pinesol baby

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I agree that an old musketball should be white, but in one spot I hunt we have found hand forged nails from 4-6 inches deep that were not only unrusted but actually pristine.

The foundation of the old homeplace (gone for over 70 years) is overgrown with evergreen pines and the nails under the nettles are perfectly preserved, others on the other side of the foundation

are nearly unrecognizable!


Sky Pilot

I too have heard that about items found under pine trees.

Thanks Sky Pilot,
Dave

thats the power of Pinesol baby

Thanks buddy!

 

[steelheadwill]

Agreed Dave,
Old lead can come in all patinas, some looking new, others with that white crust.
Nice find, Keep em Comin

 

[gadigger81]

Very nice find Antiquarian!!

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Cast ball. Anytime from 300 years ago in the Virginia Colony to this morning at a muzzleloading shoot or someone out practicing. I use them for hunting with my flintlock during deer season. I cast my own and they look identical to that. The protuberance is where the sprue forms (where the lead is introduced into the mold) and it is sliced off by the gate when the mold is opened.

I also dig out my own to recast (handy to have a metal detector when you cast lead balls) and it only takes a few years to get a solid white patina. Depends on the soil and conditions.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Agreed Dave,
Old lead can come in all patinas, some looking new, others with that white crust.
Nice find, Keep em Comin

Thanks very much Herbie!

I just couldn't believe it when I first saw it! I thought . . . NO it must be a slingshot pellet! But the good Tnet members here confirmed that it's really a musketball! I just wish I could get a more definitive age on it. But I'll take it anyway, sure beats digging pennies all day!

Hope you're finding some good stuff these days!
Dave

Very nice find Antiquarian!!

Thanks very much GaDigger81!

Happy Hunting to you!
Dave

Cast ball. Anytime from 300 years ago in the Virginia Colony to this morning at a muzzleloading shoot or someone out practicing. I use them for hunting with my flintlock during deer season. I cast my own and they look identical to that. The protuberance is where the sprue forms (where the lead is introduced into the mold) and it is sliced off by the gate when the mold is opened.

I also dig out my own to recast (handy to have a metal detector when you cast lead balls) and it only takes a few years to get a solid white patina. Depends on the soil and conditions.

Thanks very much for all the information Charlie!

I really appreciate it!
Dave

 

[Sky Pilot]

I too have heard that about items found under pine trees.

Thanks Sky Pilot,
Dave

No problem Dave!


Sky Pilot