16mm ball

CityDigger · Jan 8, 2013

Not sure if it is proper protocol to measure in mm or inches, but it's easier to just use mm's than convert my micrometer to inches. I realize that it is probably some type of projectile. Just trying to narrow it down. Found near Williamsburg. What do you think? Feels like lead.

Zodiacdiverdave · Jan 8, 2013

I have found 2 balls that are around that size, one is slightly larger then the other. When I dug them they were black and very heavy for their size. I could tell they weren't cast iron and they were much too hard for lead so I used a file to remove some of the black coating and found that they were made of brass. I still don't know what they were used for but I don't think they were shot. Can you tell what material yours is made from?
ZDD

CityDigger · Jan 8, 2013

Not sure what it is made of but I cleaned it off and it is almost white. See before and after below.

Zodiacdiverdave · Jan 9, 2013

You have yourself a nice musket ball there, well done.
ZDD

donkarlos · Jan 9, 2013

Nice!

HomeGuardDan · Jan 10, 2013

agreed, musket ball. Look for how it was made and you can determine the age a little but more. Around our parts (Williamsburg) you have plenty of time that could have produced that one. 16mm equates to .62 caliber which is an odd size. be sure you spec it correctly. .69 would most likely mean CW for this area as a lot of them are found here. .60 and under (with exception to .58) is most likely colonial to common household use (depending on the mold marks etc.) It looks more like a .69 to me...also depends on the site you found it at as well.

Dan

CityDigger · Jan 10, 2013

HomeGuardDan said:
agreed, musket ball. Look for how it was made and you can determine the age a little but more. Around our parts (Williamsburg) you have plenty of time that could have produced that one. 16mm equates to .62 caliber which is an odd size. be sure you spec it correctly. .69 would most likely mean CW for this area as a lot of them are found here. .60 and under (with exception to .58) is most likely colonial to common household use (depending on the mold marks etc.) It looks more like a .69 to me...also depends on the site you found it at as well.

Dan

Heres a closer look for you Dan. Looks like I've got a pretty odd size. Reads 16mm and about .63

Gunrunner61 · Jan 11, 2013

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........Put it over in the Whats it forum, those guy's will tell you
quick and in a hurry.....Nice find anyway's........HH

nsdq · Jan 11, 2013

cool find

HomeGuardDan · Jan 11, 2013

Gunrunner61 said:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm........Put it over in the Whats it forum, those guy's will tell you
quick and in a hurry.....Nice find anyway's........HH

No need for a What is it...it is indeed a musket ball. At .63 it is going to be considered an "undersized" musket ball. The US and French used these through the early 1800s, as with a smoothbore musket it was not always considered important for a tight fit for accuracy. Hence fire by volly, 1 man could not hit the target at 100 yards, but 100 men easily could have success in hitting the target. I would say it is a pre civil war ball. I have found them at military sites that produce early US buttons, but also at homesites from the era used for hunting and etc.

Dan