Hunting History

[trikikiwi]

Hi everyone. On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of my first hunt with sasnz, looking for some New Zealand history.
We hunted a variety of terrains within a quite small area and found a couple of noteworthy items but mostly just "priceless iron" pieces.
There was a lot happening in this area in the mid 19th Century and we will be back there to hopefully eventually locate the 'hotspots' we are seeking. We also met some great friendly locals who are just as keen to learn of the area's history.

At this stage of this dig, sasnz didn't realise that the rusty nail was about 2" below his chin, just to the side of the hole


This was the first area we hit.


Close by, I found this strange lump of folded lead over timber. I have posted this in the What Is It? Forum.


Next area was the pine plantation where we found most of the iron pieces.


It was in this area, that I found this small lead ball. It appears to be exactly 1/2" in diameter and has the 'pinch' looking area which I believe indicates a musket ball. Is that possible?


On the way back to the car, we waved our wands over this paddock, but saved any digging for another time.


A great hunt with my new pardner- Thanks sasnz I look forward to many more.
Cheers, Mike

Edit: I forgot to post All The Finds - Doh

 

[The Beep Goes On]

Sure is pretty there...nice real estate for hunting. Good luck on your future trips!

HH!
TBGO

 

[Yarrum]

Great to get out, especially in countryside like that.
Thanks for sharing.

HH

 

[mlayers]

NIcde looking country for MDing. Sure hope you get some neat finds. Good luck and keep us posted..,Matt

 

[Born Free]

Your best find may be the new friend to MD with!
The iron at old homesteads is a drag, for sure. But there are no doubt treasures amongst the sCRAP, keep diggin!

Born Free

 

[trikikiwi]

Thanks for the comments everyone

Mike

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Nice pictures and great you found an MD buddy! HH, Mike

 

[seger98]

I resemble that first picture & the remarks!

 

[gold nuggets]

It sure is a pretty location you found to hunt Mike.
When you return to that area, take some more pics
of the surroundings and your finds. Congratulations
on the relics you found and hope you find more on the
return trips. Gold Nuggets

 

[cooltone23]

Cool finds. Way to go

 

[allen]

way to go on those neat finds...

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

trikikiwi,

neat post, neat photos, neat finds.
Thanks for posting.

You said it all, "Hunting History"

Think for many of us, that is what it is all about.

Agailn, neat post.

have a good un..
SHERMANVILLE

 

[Curious The George]

First congratulations on the finds, I know there is more there. Go for it.

I know it may be nit picking but....

A musket has no rifling in the bore of the barrel. The balls and bullets used in them fit fairly loose. Bullets usually only have paper wrapped around them to seal the space between the bullet and the bore to seal in the gas from the explosion of the gun powder. Balls shot in a musket also fit rather loosely and might have a cloth patch. It is not very likely that a ball shot from a musket would be flatted on the sides.

A rifle has rifling in the bore. It takes a lot more to seal the space between the ball and the bore. A cloth patch is generally used. The ball is usually about .005" smaller than the bore and the patch thick enough to fill in the spaces in the grooves. When a ball is shot from a rifle, you usually can see the imprint of the weave of the fabric impressed into the ball. The impressions much heavier where the lands of the rifling were forced against the ball when it is loaded.

I would say from the flat surface that I can see in your photo it was shot from a rifle not a musket. Clean it up a little, look at it with a magnifying glass and see if you can see woven cloth impressions in the lead and the see if you can see deeper impressions equally spaced around the circumference of the ball.

 

[capt1989]

Pretty country you have there. Good luck with the finds.

 

[Harry_Morant]

Looks like a nice place to detect - New Zealand is such a lovely part of Australia

 

[crazyjarhead]

Nice hunt and beautiful country, Trikikiwi

 

[trikikiwi]

Again, Thanks everyone for your comments and advice, it is much appreciated

It is also quite gratifying to hear from TNetters living on our West Island - Thanks Harry

Mike

 

[collector01]

Nice 50 cal musket ball, keep at it and you will get some goodies out of there. HH!

 

[Harry_Morant]

Again, Thanks everyone for your comments and advice, it is much appreciated

It is also quite gratifying to hear from TNetters living on our West Island - Thanks Harry

Mike