This sounds like an opportunity for some very exciting Experimental Archaeology!

Terry Brock 

On Feb 9, 2012, at 10:45 AM, Richard W Galloway wrote:

> I can't say I concur with you views on these. Having shot lead balls into metal plates at shooting event, this is exactly what they look like when hitting a hard object. If they were splatter from over pour they would have rounded edges where the lead cooled in the air. If they had been flattened with a hammer or other object by hand, they would not be as uniform in shape, nor would they have as evenly distributed petals. However, this is just my opinion after viewing one photograph and not being able to view / handle the items.
> 
> Richard
> 
> Richard W Galloway
> Historic Archaeologist
> Kalispell MT, 59901
> 
> On 2/9/2012 6:12 AM, Rich Green wrote:
>> I concur with Mark on this; these are not spent rounds. I don't think these appear to be spew or splattered lead from molds either. They seem to have been purposely flattened for use perhaps as poker chips, checkers or the like.
>> 
>> Rich Green
>> Historic Archaeological Research
>> 4338 Hadley Court
>> West Lafayette, IN 47906
>> Office:  (765) 464-8735
>> Mobile: (765) 427-4082
>> www.har-indy.com
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Branstner, Mark C" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 11:58 PM
>> Subject: Re: Flattened Lead Discs?
>> 
>> 
>>> Those are not impact flattened balls IMHO. Way too thin and one has a modified rim,  think gaming disks or just schoolboy eccentrics ... If you have some with central holes, they could be whizzers
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Feb 8, 2012, at 10:11 PM, "Mike Rodeffer" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> The illustrated lead ball appears to be a .75 caliber musket round.  I suggest you weigh this round ball and compare it to the flattened "lead disks".   The disks may either be a) flattened by impact or melted rounds.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Mike Rodeffer
>>>> 
> 
> -- 
> Cordially:
> 
> Richard W. Galloway
> Historic Archaeologist
> "There ain't no cloud so thick that the sun ain't shining on the other side."
> Rattlesnake, an 1870's mountain man.