Montana Indian War relics... 'cept maybe the hair clip

[Montana Jim]

I never know what to title the subject... Some of you are so witty!

Anyway... got a 3 hour hunt in today. No buttons this time which is a bit disappointing. I did however try a brand new area today (after getting permission) and spent all my time there seeing what might turn up.

So today was an experiment that proved to be promissing!

.45-70 bullets and shells / 2 harmonica reed pieces / misc. lead, nail, rivet, grommet, watch piece, iron bits / hair clip / flattened round tin container / decorative gilted brass piece (with closeup) / huge round lead ball... and a bunch of tin lids/containers not pictured.

That lead ball weighs 30 grams... is it musket shot or...?

Would have liked to get some pics from the field but the weather was iffy and drizzly, so the camera stayed in the truck.

As always... thanks for looking.

Update: Dang, forgot to mention that all this is Montana Indian War era relics... 'cept maybe the hair clip, it has a pat. number on it but I haven't looked it up yet.

[Stormtrooper154]

Looks like this site will give up a few keepers, Good luck!

[ModernMiner]

MJ,
As usual, outstanding pictures & post. I always look forward to seeing your finds.
Congrats.
Sorry, it's too early in the morning, so I can't think of a witty title for you.
-MM-

[Hoosier Kingfisher]

Nice digs, Good luck,Ron

[Bavaria Mike]

Nice finds, looks like a lot of activity was happening there! HH, Mike

[Ronin9868]

Really cool finds. I think the large round ball could be a canister shot?

Ronin HH

[Montana Jim]

Really cool finds. I think the large round ball could be a canister shot?

Ronin HH

I really don't know... I always thought canister shot was steel or iron? It never crossed my mind that it might be lead...

Charlie P... whatcha think?

[Monty]

Dang good outing! I can't get use to the various weights different people use on the forum. Grams, mean nothing to me. For some reason bullets have always been weighed by grains as has powder at least here in the U.S. Being a reloader I can figure out grains (after 40 years). I'm not *****in', just confused, and I realize most people wouldn't have a scale that weights in grains. Ah, I found a conversion table in the back of one of my reloading manuals. Now I see. That's a dang big ball, possibly cannister? Civil war stuff throws me too! I'm not going anywhere with this so I'll shut up! Good finds. M nty

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Nice group of finds.

have a good un......................
SHERMANVILLE

[Montana Jim]

Dang good outing! I can't get use to the various weights different people use on the forum. Grams, mean nothing to me. For some reason bullets have always been weighed by grains as has powder at least here in the U.S. Being a reloader I can figure out grains (after 40 years). I'm not *****in', just confused, and I realize most people wouldn't have a scale that weights in grains. Ah, I found a conversion table in the back of one of my reloading manuals. Now I see. That's a dang big ball, possibly cannister? Civil war stuff throws me too! I'm not going anywhere with this so I'll shut up! Good finds. M nty

Thanks Monty... I know that grains is generally what a guy needs... but I can only weight in grams and ounces... I am thinking this was one (1) ounce-ish. I'll check it again when I get home. And it's kind of misshapen, so measuring it would be little help.

I'm not a bullet guy at all so I know I'm not helping... :P

[ivan salis]

with that beasts size -- grape or canister shot from a cannon is a good guess in my book---damn that would halfta hurt on the incoming end. Ivan

[Charlie P. (NY)]

If I'm reading that cm scale right the ball is about 3/4". Right on the mark for a slightly deformed "Punkin Ball". That's a single, round ball fired from a smoothbore shotgun. Handy at close range in wartime or deer hunting. Some Confederate units were lobbin .660" round balls in the 1842 Springfield muskets (one of which ended up in Stonewall Jackson). Not sure if it might be that deformed??

Could be canister, which I think was iron by the time of the CW but not really sure. It's tough to make 1" iron balls, and I would not be surprised the Confederacy was using lead.

[Montana Jim]

If I'm reading that cm scale right the ball is about 3/4". Right on the mark for a slightly deformed "Punkin Ball". That's a single, round ball fired from a smoothbore shotgun. Handy at close range in wartime or deer hunting. Some Confederate units were lobbin .660" round balls in the 1842 Springfield muskets (one of which ended up in Stonewall Jackson). Not sure if it might be that deformed??

Could be canister, which I think was iron by the time of the CW but not really sure. It's tough to make 1" iron balls, and I would not be surprised the Confederacy was using lead.

Thanks Charlie! I appreciate your comments. It's not that deformed, it's just not dropped.

And, to clear things a little... these relics are Union Infantry circa mid 1860s - late 1880s Montana Indian Wars. Given the location... also the slightest chance it's civilian, or, pre-pioneer 1830's through 1900s fur trapper / settler / indian trade weapon.

I'm going with "Pumpkin Ball" and "Hunting". Awesome!

[River Rat]

Neat finds, Jim! I like those harmonica reed pieces.

RR

[civilman1]

I'm thinkin' "cannister shot" and iron Jim....Awesome dig's as alway's.....HH!!

[Nana40]

I gotta catchy subject for ya....how bout....

Montana Indian War era relics... 'cept maybe the hair clip

I love them finds! Congrats on a great day huntin!

Nana

[Merf]

That looks like a place with a lot of potential.
A good hunt and best of luck when you go back. 8)

[tennessee hawk]

Are those 45/70 bullets? Just wondering.
TN. HAWK

[Montana Jim]

Are those 45/70 bullets? Just wondering.
TN. HAWK

Yuppers... sure are. Sometimes I pull a .50/70 too.

[trk5capt]

Jim, Very Interesting Finds, As Always, Congrats. trk5capt...