Musket ball in San Diego?

Shark27

Full Member
Aug 5, 2010
243
0
San Diego
Detector(s) used
Minelab X-Terra 50 & Garrett Pro Pointer
Had a great hunt at one of the oldest parks of San Diego and found some cool items. A few bucks in clad, couple wheaties 45D and 54S, a full 45 Federal Bullet, a rifle casing marked 44, (2) older brass master lock keys (one says Milwaukee WI 0439 on it and the other is a "Star" Key which says Made in USA and for use in master locks only and the best relic of all....wait for it...wait...a musket ball. I was seriously puzzled but upon some research it has all the features, a lead dimple and a mold break line...but what would a musket ball be doing in San Diego? Could it have been dropped post civil war? Any thoughts..enjoy the pics.

shark27
 

Attachments

  • Morley_Field_Findsl1_072111.jpg
    Morley_Field_Findsl1_072111.jpg
    81.5 KB · Views: 342
  • Morley_Field_Key1_072111.jpg
    Morley_Field_Key1_072111.jpg
    72.5 KB · Views: 337
  • Morley_Field_Key2_072111.jpg
    Morley_Field_Key2_072111.jpg
    36.3 KB · Views: 332
  • Morley_Field_Musketball3_072111.jpg
    Morley_Field_Musketball3_072111.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 336
  • Morley_Field_Musketball1_072111.jpg
    Morley_Field_Musketball1_072111.jpg
    62.8 KB · Views: 332
Upvote 0

kuger

Gold Member
Nov 6, 2007
9,721
2,795
Detector(s) used
,M.X.T.& Tesoro Tejon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Lots of early history in that area,pre statehood!!!
 

High Plains Digger

Bronze Member
Feb 1, 2008
1,314
13
Mexico prior to 1848. How about that other Spanish guy---Balboa? Perhaps his caliber of guns were a bit larger. Uh, what size is this musket ball? Then, the next question may be, what caliber of guns did the Mexicans shoot. Just in case it is an odd size ball.
 

OP
OP
Shark27

Shark27

Full Member
Aug 5, 2010
243
0
San Diego
Detector(s) used
Minelab X-Terra 50 & Garrett Pro Pointer
High Plains Digger said:
Mexico prior to 1848. How about that other Spanish guy---Balboa? Perhaps his caliber of guns were a bit larger. Uh, what size is this musket ball? Then, the next question may be, what caliber of guns did the Mexicans shoot. Just in case it is an odd size ball.

So we may be talking pre 1850! Wow, this may be the oldest thing I have ever found. Ok here's some pictures to gauge the size...(one in cm, one in inches)
 

Attachments

  • Musketball_Size1.jpg
    Musketball_Size1.jpg
    22.4 KB · Views: 309
  • Musketball_Size2.jpg
    Musketball_Size2.jpg
    57.4 KB · Views: 309

kuger

Gold Member
Nov 6, 2007
9,721
2,795
Detector(s) used
,M.X.T.& Tesoro Tejon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
There is no way you are going to know when it was dropped,I stated that because you seemed shocked that there was anything old down that way!
 

ANTIQUARIAN

Gold Member
Apr 24, 2010
12,844
27,390
Upper Canada 🇨🇦
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
3
Detector(s) used
XP Deus, Lesche Piranha 35 Shovel & 'Garrett Carrot'
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
Congratulations on the musketball find Shark27! :o

What does it matter who dropped it . . . you found it, that's all that matters! :laughing7:

Dave
 

OP
OP
Shark27

Shark27

Full Member
Aug 5, 2010
243
0
San Diego
Detector(s) used
Minelab X-Terra 50 & Garrett Pro Pointer
kuger said:
There is no way you are going to know when it was dropped,I stated that because you seemed shocked that there was anything old down that way!

LOL...I completely understand. It could have been dropped last year for all I know. My shocked response was because I found a relatively modern 45 bullet, an older casing from 1944 and then Bam...a musket ball...not a consistent find for Southern California. I know we have a considerable amount of history prior to statehood but still many local detectors have trouble pulling pre 1900 relics due to many of the older parts of San Diego being protected and labeled Historic. Still a very exciting find for me and one of my best relics just due to the potential age of the item.

Shark27
 

kuger

Gold Member
Nov 6, 2007
9,721
2,795
Detector(s) used
,M.X.T.& Tesoro Tejon
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
You bet!!I love diggin em!!!I would say yours is "vintage",due to the white patina.....its not a sure way to date them but "old",ones just have a look.You just never know what you will dig!!
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top