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General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Jim Curlee on June 28, 2024, 04:50:09 PM

Title: a question about lead storage
Post by: Jim Curlee on June 28, 2024, 04:50:09 PM

I bought a tote full of muzzleloader stuff the other day.
While going through it I found a few "cool" items.
I have a question about one of them.
There was a string of flat lead washers.

Did the old-timers carry their extra lead balls flattened, and on a string?

Jim

(https://i.ibb.co/JkSy5PX/2024-0627kathys0007.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f0Tn47m)

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: B.Habermehl on June 28, 2024, 05:33:45 PM

If I’m not mistaken what you have here are lead seal blanks. That would be crimped around a wire or such. BJH

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: Jim Curlee on June 28, 2024, 06:47:36 PM

What are they used for?

I don't have a clue; I've never seen them before.

They were attached to a thong on a pouch.

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: HSmithTX on June 29, 2024, 12:44:19 AM

The old lead seals used to be used on electric meters, sprinkler controls etc, tamper proof seal.  They were generally pure lead also, and that is what they look like to me.  I have seen them on cargo containers, shipping boxes, semi truck van trailers, all sorts of stuff that needed to be verified that no tampering had taken place between point of origin and destination. 

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: Jim Curlee on June 29, 2024, 02:03:42 AM

Thanks for the answer, you learn something new everyday.

I'm still thinking he used them as mold fodder for a small-bore gun.
I found some balls in the pouch that were just over a 1/4" in diameter.

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: taterbug on June 29, 2024, 05:17:59 PM

well, it would have been a convenient way to carry them without them rolling around in the bottom of a bag.  Just grab the end of the thong and pull them out, then untie what you needed. 

But I don't know if they would have also had another use, like sinkers for fishing, or for seine nets?

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: Mule Brain on July 08, 2024, 02:51:06 PM

Looks like lead tags to me, easy to stamp and mark

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: RVAH-7 on July 10, 2024, 06:51:47 AM

in June, 1966, when we crossed the border from Montana into Alberta to connect on the Alcan hwy., the fellers at the border placed my revolver in a heavy duty plastic bag and sealed it with a lead gadget just like those. And it was good to go when I left the Yukon.

Title: Re: a question about lead storage
Post by: Dphariss on July 10, 2024, 08:17:24 AM

Quote from: RVAH-7 on July 10, 2024, 06:51:47 AM

in June, 1966, when we crossed the border from Montana into Alberta to connect on the Alcan hwy., the fellers at the border placed my revolver in a heavy duty plastic bag and sealed it with a lead gadget just like those. And it was good to go when I left the Yukon.

Mid 1970s I had a Samsonite briefcase. Pistols looked at put back in, closed then it was wrapped with wire IIRC and the lead seal to “lock” it.