File:54 post medieval shot (FindID 970241).jpg

The balls are all largely spherical in shape, although some have clear casting marks or slightly flattened areas. None appear to have been fired. They are formed of lead and are now pale grey and powdery. The balls average approximately 39g each, and are on average approximately 2.5mm in diameter. They are all approximately 12 bore shot, and were found across an area of 6 x 3m.

The size and shape of the balls strongly suggests a military usage, as opposed to recreational hunting. The location of the findspot strongly supports this interpretation. Nearby Columbjohn house was used by Sir Thomas Fairfax as headquarters for the assault on Exeter in 1645, with Fairfax and Cromwell together planning the siege here. That a military encampment would have been located around the headquarters is a logical conclusion, and it is possible that the shot was manufactured here and then discarded. The siege of Exeter ended when the Royalist defenders were permitted to abandon the town on 13th April 1646.

The number of shot is unusual, and Rick Lawrence of RAMM has commented that: "

"Moulds for 12 bullets are found. 10 tight or 12 rowling bullets to the pound being used to refer both to bullet size and musket bore. 12 matched the twelve apostles worn on a bandolier with each holding powder for a shot...Cavalry had 20 or 24 bullets to the pound for pistols and some finer made pistols 36 to the pound. 20 or 17 to the pound for the harquebus/carbine."

The irregular number of balls, the closely associated findspot and the 12 bore size could also suggest their forming part of a "partridge" or canister shot container. This would comprise a large number of lead balls contained in a tin can, which, when fired, would spread from the muzzle of a heavy field gun in the manner of a shotgun load. Case was an anti-personnel weapon, though it was also used against the rigging of ships.

Measurements: 25mm diameter, total weight 1987g.