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View Full Version : Okay, I have found something Really cool !! I think!


brewmaster15
11-12-2014, 07:44 PM
I was finishing up splitting a monster pile of firewood today, and in the center of a 2-3 foot diameter oak log I came across what I think is a piece of history.... actually 2 pcs.


Musketballs!!

One popped out I left the other in.

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s623/Snakebyte2/musket%20balls/20141112_1625011_zps98d09f91.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Snakebyte2/media/musket%20balls/20141112_1625011_zps98d09f91.jpg.html)


http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s623/Snakebyte2/musket%20balls/20141112_1625101_zpsde119370.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Snakebyte2/media/musket%20balls/20141112_1625101_zpsde119370.jpg.html)


http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s623/Snakebyte2/musket%20balls/20141112_1617591_zps75dc94b9.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Snakebyte2/media/musket%20balls/20141112_1617591_zps75dc94b9.jpg.html)


http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s623/Snakebyte2/musket%20balls/20141112_1625261_zps76001795.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Snakebyte2/media/musket%20balls/20141112_1625261_zps76001795.jpg.html)


This log is from the same tree ,gives you an idea as to the size.

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s623/Snakebyte2/musket%20balls/20141112_1616291_zps30644bab.jpg (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/Snakebyte2/media/musket%20balls/20141112_1616291_zps30644bab.jpg.html)



Anyone know anything about old musket balls? No idea when these are from, maybe someone target shooting around civil war times? Maybe not as old as then.. who knows.. The two musket balls were inbedded within a few inches of each other, literally in the middle of that 2-3 foot log.


I did some checking and I guess its not unusual for there to be scrap metal used in the core of musket balls. These have what appears to scrap copper shavings in them. ...but definitely a lead ball.

I shoot arrows...know nothing about lead projectiles! NO idea how old they are, But these are cool either way.

WE have a historical society in town, I need to ask them...see if they have any ideas.

Al
Second Hand Pat
11-12-2014, 07:49 PM
Now that is cool and perhaps a bit of history. If you find out anything about them Al please post back.
Pat
rickztahone
11-12-2014, 07:53 PM
I remember seeing an episode of "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel and someone came in with a pair of musket balls like you describe. Unfortunately, I can't remember if they were worth good money or not (:(), but, I believe these would be better as historical pieces, rather than sold :)
Larry Grenier
11-12-2014, 08:00 PM
Well, here in Manassas, VA, they're all over the place :-) Seriously, that is very cool!
brewmaster15
11-12-2014, 08:07 PM
Well, here in Manassas, VA, they're all over the place :-) Seriously, that is very cool!

Lol...In CT they are a tad more rare!:)

-al
Ardan
11-13-2014, 07:04 AM
That is cool! Will be interesting to see the history on that if you can find out. How deep into the log were they? That might give a clue as to how long they were in there.

Ardan
brewmaster15
11-13-2014, 07:40 AM
That is cool! Will be interesting to see the history on that if you can find out. How deep into the log were they? That might give a clue as to how long they were in there.

Ardan

Thanks Ardan.. they are literally in the middle of that big log...I may try and count the growth rings.
al
brewmaster15
11-14-2014, 05:53 PM
Well Finshed up that wood pile and found one more musket ball... Total of 3 from the same tree.

-al
jsullins
11-19-2014, 05:21 PM
cool story, let us know what you find out.
discuspaul
11-19-2014, 08:08 PM
Wow - maybe goes back to civil war days - man, that's a long time - would it take that long for the tree to grow around the balls, to the size it was when it was cut down, Al ? You did find them near the center, didn't you ?
More interesting to ponder, if it was during the war - hopefully the person who was being shot at did live, since 3 balls missed him ? LOL
OC Discus
11-19-2014, 11:43 PM
I think they used those for hunting too. That log would be a cool piece of history to keep around.


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Northwoods Discus
11-20-2014, 12:48 PM
Looks like the tree is around a hundred years old or so. Cool find.
OC Discus
11-20-2014, 01:31 PM
Al

Do you live on an old farm or home place? I've been metal detecting for a couple of years. Civil war relics are hot where I live. Round balls were used in mortars during the civil war- like shot in a shotgun shell. My neighbor has two unexplored mortars. If you are on a historic site metal detecting could be fun. You could even be on a revolutionary war site- though the tree may not be that old. Round balls were common in those days.


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nwehrman
11-20-2014, 09:18 PM
interesting for sure
brewmaster15
11-21-2014, 06:48 AM
Hi all,
Most of New England was clear cut for firewood,lumber,etc. and farm land , CT included, back when it was settled.As time went by the forests here regrew. I suspect the land these trees were taken from was farmland and the tree in particular was probably a young oak used for target practice.. 2 musket balls were imbedded in the trees center..by the size of the trees..I would guess late 1800s.

The trees were from Durham CT. No civil war battles were fought here but militia training probably went on locally and I am sure just as today...people practiced then to sharpen their skills.