Patterned musket ball??

[Barneymartin3]

Here is a musket ball I found today in a Civil War skirmish site. It is six sided and flat on top and bottom (I assume from being fired?). Check out the patterns etched into the sides. What caused this? Game piece?? Also pictured is another musket ball with a perfect round dent. Ram rod dent??

 

[duggap]

It was the cloth path loaded with the round ball.

 

[EmuDetector]

agree with the cloth pad mentioned above. the round "dent" looks to me like someone tried to use a pulling tool and the threading stopped short or was worn down. it could have just hit something to dent it as well. i have hundreds of them with marks, dents, scrapes, etc

 

[Wolf-Dog]

I agree with the above posts. Nice find.

 

[Barneymartin3]

It was the cloth path loaded with the round ball.

Thanks. I should have known that.

 

[hoser]

Ok now that is some very cool info. Had no idea the patch material would do that. AWESOME!