Lead weight

[IronSpike]

Found at location believed to be CW camp site (based on amount found of lead waste from bullet making/not documented camp). Is this a lead weight made by a 'bored' soldier or any other suggestions?

 

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[BioProfessor]

In my opinion, lead was used for some many things over do many years that it is almost impossible to determine what a piece of lead was used for or how it was made.

With no mold marks, no numbers, no sprue, etc. it is going to be tough. I've got about 50 of these lead what's it if you want more.

Sorry,

Daryl

 

[IronSpike]

Thanks bioprofessor. I agree with you that lead has been used throughout time (maybe not so much more recent time) and it can be hard to determine usage.

I've found my fair share of lead over the years and I'm sure there's some more 'What is it' in there this pic. Please don't mail me any lead

It's just that this one item is clearly man made and the only explanation I've been able to come up with is that it's CW related. I did find bullets and other CW relics at find location.

Posted this to see whether anyone maybe had other ideas usage of this lead item. Could it be a chess piece?

As opposed to hobo nickles I believe it's well documented by detectorists that CW soldiers did make trinkets of lead.

 

[BioProfessor]

No problem. Just my take on it.

It is definitely man-made but I would hesitate to date it to a specific period. I have found Brown Bess bullets in areas supposedly CW. I have found modern lead in supposedly Revolutionary war sites.

One of the most common uses of lead for the last 1000 years or so has been for a weight - loom weight, curtain weight, fishing weight, gate closing weight, steelyard weight, etc. I think someone was making a weight (net weight?) from a round piece of lead by trying to put a "knob"on the top to attach a line.

Trinkets made of lead started out as either waste from casting, a sprue, or a bullet. If it was from a casting or a sprue, it would have not been so round. If this object started out as a bullet a soldier would have made (they didn't have molds for anything else) it should still have the characteristics of the bullet or evidence of being hammered or "worked." The caliber can still be determined (measurement in decimal inches), the weight can be determined (maybe add whatever percentage you think has been removed), and the length can be determined - all within a certain range given the condition of the object. If all this data does not fall somewhere in the range of bullets used during the CW, I would say it is not of that period or maybe not a bullet at all if it is WAY off. If the bullet had been "worked," it would show it but all it shows is some removal. It appears to be still the same size as the mold but the "hollow" bottom (Sharps excluded) is not there. So it is confusing.

Do the measurements and the math and see what it tells you. It may not tell you it is but it can surely tell you if it was not molded in a mold of the size and type used in the CW.

Again, just my take on it.

Daryl

 

[IronSpike]

Thanks Daryl,

You're absolutely right about finds not going 'hand in hand' with other finds at same location.

Size wise doubt this item was carved/modified from a CW bullet (not to say it isn't CW relic).

Guess you're right there's no certain way to know for sure.