Portable Antiquities Scheme, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Representative period example of this weapon type; no surviving expedition artifact is shown.

Bullet Molds

Ammunition & Accessories • 1803

Type Ammunition Manufacturing Tool

Category Ammunition & Accessories

Era 1803

Museum / Collection No positively identified expedition examples survive

Fifteen pairs of bullet molds were obtained at Harpers Ferry Arsenal, one for each rifleman. These were scissor-type iron molds that clamped together to form a spherical cavity. Molten lead was poured into the mold to cast round balls. The ability to manufacture ammunition in the field was critical for the expedition’s survival, as they carried 400 pounds of lead that needed to be cast into balls as needed. Lead was also obtained by melting down lead canisters that stored powder.

Specifications

Type: Scissor-style, hand-held iron mold Ball Size: Matched to rifle caliber (~.49-.54 for rifles, .69 for muskets) Quantity: 15 pairs Total expedition lead: 400 lbs