Musket balls, can you help identify...

[makahaman]

I've found these while diving, they are round and it's definetly not a fishing weight. The line on one of them is a seam from a mold, I know what a split lead for fishing looks like because I go fishing. The artifacts that I have found in the water dates to the 1700-1800's. I was just curious to hear some of your opinions to this. What time period is the musket balls anyway? 1700's or early 1800's? I hope to hear some of your opinions to this... Thank You

 

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[eyemustdigtreasure]

hard to date these relics, but the weapons used are old-ish styles, of course!
There are black powder shooters now-a-days, too, and some even make
their own ammo - so, who knows?

 

[Trez]

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/musket+ball/thumbnail/1

Lots of types and dates for Musket Balls.
That's a good site for comparing lots of different artifacts.
Good Luck,
Trez

 

[frankie]

Newer Ball on top

I've found these while diving, they are round and it's definetly not a fishing weight. The line on one of them is a seam from a mold, I know what a split lead for fishing looks like because I go fishing. The artifacts that I have found in the water dates to the 1700-1800's. I was just curious to hear some of your opinions to this. What time period is the musket balls anyway? 1700's or early 1800's? I hope to hear some of your opinions to this... Thank You

View attachment 1198081

My Opinion is keep looking and forget the age of the musket balls! Ha Ha The older balls your looking for would not be a perfect round shape. When first made. The Musket balls weren't a perfect round. Years later, they made a mold for the balls. This area was settled early 1800's. I have found both types. Line's and no lines. I have a 1/2 baggie full of musket balls. I wouldn't want to carry a lot of them with me on a trip. WOW! If I had to guess. Both from same time. 1850's.

 

[makahaman]

Thanks everyone for your replies! The guys in the water detecting forum said the top one was a lead sinker, split shot! It doesn't come apart, I know what a split shot is because I go fishing! I tell you some of these characters on these sites just boggle my brain!! Lol

 

[PhipsFolly]

"The older the balls, the softer the wood..." Hehehe...

Get your minds outta' the gutter... I was referring to if you find an older period musket balls, the wooden deck planks on the wreck would be super saturated and filled with teredo holes, thus softer than wood that hadn't been on the bottom very long...