Rabbit Pellets

[HardPack]

Been detecting these lead balls in or near 1850's California mining camps. The three (3) smaller ball measure 10 mm or 40 caliber at the rifling grooves. The larger ball 12 mm or 45 caliber at the rifling grooves.  All of the balls appear to have been hand molded. Have detected the balls along the hillsides and in clusters at camp sites. Brush rabbits, blacktail deer and black bears were probable targets.

Does anyone have an idea what type of firearms the old miners of 49 were shooting at the golden hills of California?

 

[JCR]

They don’t appear to have been patched so l would guess percussion revolver. 40 caliber is an odd size though.  They could be pumpkin ball loads for a cartridge rifle used for small game but that would be later era.

[HardPack]

15 minutes ago, JCR said:

so l would guess percussion revolver

The 1851 Colt manufactured from 1851 to 1873 was a rifled percussion muzzle loader. The Navy Model 36 caliber; Army Model 44 caliber. The Dragoon pistols were all larger caliber. All the rifles were 50 caliber or larger including the Springfields, Sharps & Hawkins.

Guess I should get to digging and detecting around that partially buried cookstove. The cook may have been shooting at the rabbits just outside the tent flap. From the looks of the lead he may well of starved before hitting anything. 

[HardPack]

Here’s a restored mid 1800’s percussion (cap & ball) .40 caliber long rifle “Homestead Long Rifle Frontier”.