Rare Late Medieval Bronze Bullet Mould Lead Ball Caster 15th-16th century COA For Sale

Late Medieval 15th Century Bronze Lead Shot / Bullet Mould Half

Authenticity & Guarantee

• Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales.

Item Specifications

• Object: Handheld Lead Shot / Bullet Mould Half (Gangue / Bullet Mold)

• Culture / Period: Late Medieval to Early Renaissance Firearms Era

• Date Range: Circa 15th Century AD – 16th Century AD

• Dimensions: 3.1 cm (approx. 1.2 inches)

• Material: Heavy Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)

• Design & Features: Hemispherical interior casting matrix with top pouring channel (sprue funnel), external alignment locators/lugs, and a rear raised mounting grip/lug

• Condition: Excellent archaeological state. Well-preserved internal spherical cavity with clear sprue channel, sturdy alignment pins, and a rich dark bronze patina with natural pale burial encrustation.

Historical Context & Early Firearm Technology

The Birth of Handheld Firearms & Field Bullet Casting

During the 15th century, the introduction of early shoulder-arms like the handgonne and early matchlock arquebus transformed European warfare. Soldiers and gunsmiths carried portable two-part bronze or brass bullet moulds into the field to cast lead projectiles over campfire heat (Ref: Partington, A History of Greek Fire and Gunpowder, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999; Hall, Weaponry in the Age of Firearms, Cambridge University Press, 1997).

Functional Design & Precision Alignment

Bronze was the ideal material for early bullet moulds because it withstood high molten lead temperatures without degrading or warping. This mould half features a hollow hemispherical cup fed by a funnel-shaped sprue gate at the top where liquid lead was poured. External alignment lugs fitted into matching recesses on the opposing half, ensuring the two matrix halves aligned perfectly to cast round, balanced lead shot for smoothbore barrels (Ref: Royal Armouries, Early Firearms & Field Equipment, Leeds, 2004).

Typological Analysis & Comparable Museum Accession Parallels

Casting & Mechanical Components

Heavy bronze casting designed with a prominent rear thumb lug / attachment point to fit into a hinged handle assembly or allow hand-clamping during the lead pouring process.

Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers

• British Museum (Accession No. 1856,0701.5080): 15th–16th century bronze two-part bullet mould half for lead shot casting.

• Royal Armouries, Leeds (Object No. XII.1024): Late medieval bronze handheld bullet mould for early matchlock/handgonne projectiles.

• Museum of London (Accession ID: 82.208/1): 15th century copper-alloy bullet mould half with pouring sprue channel.

• Ashmolean Museum (Accession No. AN1969.812): Early European firearms bronze lead-ball casting matrix.

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