Musket Balls?

[Thomas L]

Was out detecting a late 18's foundation today and found a bunch of what appears to be musket balls. I don't know much about them other than what I read online. Some of the larger ones appear to have a seam and others a sprue. The smaller ones have a a bit of greenish corrosion to them like they may have copper in them. The smaller ones measure approx 1/2 dia and the larger about 1 inch. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

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[smokeythecat]

There was a lot of Rev War and Civil War activity around York, Pa. These could easily date to the Rev War period.

 

[baspinall]

Nice! Love finding musket balls. I'm not to far from you.

 

[TNGUNS]

What size are they. They black on some almost makes ya think of case shot but unlikely where ya found them. The small ones are often rifle balls and the larger musket from what I understand. We have members that have forgotten more than I know about it though. Great finds.


Woops, forgot about buck and ball and the fowlers.

 

[Goldiver]

The larger ones may be case shot or grape shot. Do any of those attract a magnet?

Steve

 

[PeteWmass]

odd...they are usually white or grey....sometimes brown...maybe they were short on lead?

 

[gunsil]

Are they lead?? Look almost like brass in the pics. As stated above most round balls from firearms have a white lead oxide coating which can stain brown or reddish from soil. I don't really like the term "musket ball" since round balls came in all shotgun gauges and were used in shotguns and old pistols also used similar sized balls. "Round ball" is a more proper term.

 

[Thomas L]

Yes the larger ones are lead. The smaller ones i believe are copper or brass. Neither is attracted by a magnet. The larger ones do have some white residue, however nowhere near as heavy of white residue on lead fishing weights I have found in the water.

 

[Thommy]

Copper would not have been used for musket or rifle balls.

 

[goldnrelics]

nice finds and foundation GJ

 

[Goldiver]

I found this article about the 4-bore musket, it fired a approximately 1 inch lead ball.... 4 bore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Steve