Experimental Firing and Analysis of Impacted 17th-18th-Century Lead Bullets

This book examines the nature of bullet impact evidence through a series of proof-of-concept experimental firing trials. To achieve this aim, a reference collection of known bullet impacts was created and used as a comparative tool against archaeologically recovered bullets. Experimental firing was conducted over sterile and stony ground surfaces as well as numerous wooden targets to establish a baseline of known bullet impacts. The results from the experimental firing reveal that bullets that impacted the ground surface retain distinct diagnostic characteristics that can be identified within bullets from archaeological assemblages. However, the distinctive characteristics identified on bullets that impacted wooden targets were not observed. This book demonstrates that experimentally fired bullets retain diagnostic traits from the impact surface that allow for specific classification and an advanced understanding of archaeologically recovered bullet assemblages.