Lead shot cut in half?

[staydetuned]

I'm sure there is a simple explanation but I don't know it. These were found at an 1850s homestead in central California. They look like pistol balls that have been cut in half. Any reason why? Numerous pistol balls have been found at the site (along with a counterstamped Large Cent - one of my best California finds, and very rare here - which very unfortunately I lost as it fell out of my pocket on the train ride home.)

 

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[Peeber]

Looks like around a .36 cal ball. That was and is a common squirrel round for muzzle loaders. I have read that the oldboys would split their rifle balls the extend their ammo in tight times.

 

[a2wk]

broken split shots

 

[RGINN]

Interesting, but I don't have a clue. I've used a lot of those fishin split shots in my life, but never broken one in half. I could imagine one gettin broke in half, but not that many in one spot. Looks like bullets, but if you shot one I don't know what that would do for your accuracy.

 

[homefires]

When you Mold your own Bullets, you cut off the splash or the part left over from the pore.

That's what you have there. You can see the Line from the mold join and where they have been cut off.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=dPF6TfvbAsP7rAGY1Pz8BQ&ved=0CCIQ9QEwBQ

Or they could be Lead Seals! http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/oha/castlehill/figures/pict0011.jpg

 

[staydetuned]

Well, either one of those will work Thanks homefires, and everyone else!