THE MUSKET BALL THAT WON THE FRONTIER

A variety of smoothbore shoulder firearms evolved in 16th century Spain. American style flintlock muskets were not as surefire as either the matchlock or the wheel lock, but they were cheaper, contained fewer delicate parts, and were not as difficult to repair in primitive surroundings - a virture which probably accounts for their popularity in 17th century America. In common with the wheel locks, they had the priceless advantage, for use in the wilderness, of being ready to fire one shot immediately.

Fired at a rate of 2 to 4 per minute, they were accurate enough to hit a man-sized target at 80-100 yards. These musket balls are .75 caliber - the most common size used during the Revolutionary War period.

Although musket balls were used through the Civil War period, they were superseded by the much more accurate Minie ball fired from a rifled barrel.

[NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OF AGE.]