sling bullets

[Quintus Aurelius Lepidus]

hi

in what shapes could you get lead sling bullets?

are they always oval in length and round in width?

or could they be for example oval in length and square in width?

[attachment=4037]dcp_3018smal.jpg[/attachment]

tnx!

[Robert Vermaat]

A slightly larger image, perhaps? It would be appreciated.

[D B Campbell]

in what shapes could you get lead sling bullets? are they always oval in length and round in width?

Völlig* has diagnosed six forms, one with three variants and one with two variants (= 9 in total), but the majority are basically "oval in length and round in width", as you said. Völlig's Typ I ("ovoid") is basically the classic lemon-shaped bullet; his Typ II ("bikonoid") is very similar; his Typ III ("doppelpyramidenförmig") is more angular, but is known from only four sites; his Typ IV, a more rounded version of III, is known from only three sites; his Typ V ("eichelförmig") is the well-known acorn shape, known only from Birrens, Burnswark and surroundings; and his Typ VI are the spheroids from Gellep.

or could they be for example oval in length and square in width?

This sounds a little like Völlig's Typ III (5 examples from Asculum, 1 from Volubilis, 1 from Utrera, 1 from Ursao), pointed at each end, but square cross-section in the middle.

* Th. Völlig, "Funditores im römischen Heer", Saalburg-Jahrbuch 45 (1990), pp. 24-58.

[Quintus Aurelius Lepidus]

hi

take these for example:

[attachment=4038]IMG_0025_800x600.jpg[/attachment]

they have an interesting shape which i never saw before.

[Robert Vermaat]

* Th. Völlig, "Funditores im römischen Heer", Saalburg-Jahrbuch 45 (1990), pp. 24-58.

That's Thomas Völling.

[D B Campbell]

Keyboard malfunction! ;-)

[PhilusEstilius]

I am unable to dispute if it is Vollig or Volling but as far as his type V the Acorn shape of sling shot, these have also been found in the Stanegate and Hadrian's Wall areas.

[D B Campbell]

I am unable to dispute if it is Vollig or Volling ...

Definitely Völling!

... but as far as his type V the Acorn shape of sling shot, these have also been found in the Stanegate and Hadrian's Wall areas.

One example from Corbridge, as far as I know (non vidi). (Völling lists one from Caernarvon, too.) Anywhere else?

[S. Marcer]

In RV website there is an entire section(in Italian)dedicated to sling bullets (same history and a good photographic gallery of the different types). The one of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nürnberg and the one now in the Museo Civico Archeologico of Bologna seem square section.

Very best.

S.M.

[Quintus Aurelius Lepidus]

cool! tnx for the info guys! :-D

have my answer and some source material to look for

[S. Marcer]

Reading this topic I have realized that the photocopies of Thomas Völling article are no longer in my possession :-?
In Italy only 4 libraries have the “Saalburg Jahrbuch”… Someone knows if it is available on line?

Thanks in advance.

[D B Campbell]

In Italy only 4 libraries have the “Saalburg Jahrbuch”… Someone knows if it is available on line?

It is difficult to find in Scotland, too. Sadly, as far as I know, it has never been available electronically. Unless someone (please, please, please) knows differently?

[Quintus Aurelius Lepidus]

too bad. was searching for it too but did not find anything.

[Titvs Statilivs Castvs]

Hi Yves,

Just checked it at our library at the university; they have the Saalburg Jahrbuch, but sadly enough only up to 1984. Otherwise I would've copied it for you.

[Robert]

It would seem most were cast in a double sided mold (two halves), as opposed to the (easier) casting in a single sided mold. The general shape is always like an almond, it would seem. Will have to try my hand at casting some of these one day, when I get the molds made. Should be fun (and avoiding the toxic lead fumes)!