July 4th finds

[Gene Mean]

I went to King's Highway where the British camped after the Battle of Monmouth. Mostly private homes now except for a small orchard where I hunted with my new 15 inch coil on the 800. I found a couple of round balls that I think are British. The very round one is 30/31 grams and .69 inches. The misshapen one is 28 grams and has what looks like fabric marks on it. Any ideas?
Also found the big 48 gram chunk of cut lead, part of a horse buckle, and a nice small crotal bell.
On the button I see a 23. My wife and kids don't see it. Let me know if you see anything. Sometimes I see a 53.

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!!! Congrats!!!

 

[xcopperstax]

There is a really good book about musketballs by Dan Sivilich (spelling?) that talks about finding musket balls with fabric marks on it. I think they theorize it could indicate hitting a persons clothing. Ie a person was shot. I'd have to read up again.

 

[smokeythecat]

The musket balls sometimes (in early rifles) had cloth around them to get a better fit in the barrell. That's what you are seeing. Great finds.

 

[WannaDig3687]

I can't see it with my device.

Congratulations on your finds. I would like to find a crotal bell.

 

[Gene Mean]

The musket balls sometimes (in early rifles) had cloth around them to get a better fit in the barrell. That's what you are seeing. Great finds.

Thanks for the answer. That makes sense.

 

[Gene Mean]

I can't see it with my device.

Congratulations on your finds. I would like to find a crotal bell.

Ok. Thanks for looking.

 

[Gene Mean]

There is a really good book about musketballs by Dan Sivilich (spelling?) that talks about finding musket balls with fabric marks on it. I think they theorize it could indicate hitting a persons clothing. Ie a person was shot. I'd have to read up again.

I thought about that, that it might have hit someone but I think Smokey is right. Ball's were wrapped in a cloth for a better fit in the barrel. Thanks.

 

[Hughett]

Love the bell!

 

[Gene Mean]

Love the bell!

Thanks. Every now and then I find a complete one.

 

[tnt-hunter]

The musket balls sometimes (in early rifles) had cloth around them to get a better fit in the barrell. That's what you are seeing. Great finds.

I have to agree with smokeythecat. A cloth patch was used with muzzle loaders to make a tighter fit in the barrel. I have one I found at a civil war camp that had a deep indent from the ramrod on one end and cloth marks on the other. The ramrod end would have been the one that hit the target unless the bullet tumbled. With the rifling on the side tumbling is very unlikely. So the theory of cloth marks from hiting someone is very unlikely. The pictures are old and not great but I think they show what needs to be seen.

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With the deep grooves on the side and the ramrod mark, this one looks like it was forced down a hot barrel that might have been too small for the ball.

Nice finds. Keep swingin.

 

[Gene Mean]

I have to agree with smokeythecat. A cloth patch was used with muzzle loaders to make a tighter fit in the barrel. I have one I found at a civil war camp that had a deep indent from the ramrod on one end and cloth marks on the other. The ramrod end would have been the one that hit the target unless the bullet tumbled. With the rifling on the side tumbling is very unlikely. So the theory of cloth marks from hiting someone is very unlikely. The pictures are old and not great but I think they show what needs to be seen.

View attachment 1729668View attachment 1729669View attachment 1729670​

With the deep grooves on the side and the ramrod mark, this one looks like it was forced down a hot barrel that might have been too small for the ball.

Nice finds. Keep swingin.

Thanks for the good info tnt.

 

[A2coins]

Great post really cool finds. I would love to hunt a spot like that Im lucky to find a silver coin Ive kinda not even been detecting for a long while I need a vacation!!!! Excellent hunt Thanks for sharing Tommy

 

[Gene Mean]

Great post really cool finds. I would love to hunt a spot like that Im lucky to find a silver coin Ive kinda not even been detecting for a long while I need a vacation!!!! Excellent hunt Thanks for sharing Tommy

Thank you Tommy. I've got relatives in Ann Arbor. Next time I'm heading out there I'll let you know. We'll go door knocking at old farms.