a treatise on projectiles

references and acknowledgements

I work as an archaeologist and archaeological illustrator in the UK. Military archaeology and finds have always held an interest for me, in particular the analysis of small arms projectiles. The information presented here has been collected over many years, but for most of that time I have not really had a vision of where the data would end up. I am extremely grateful to Phil Eastwood for his assistance in getting this website up and running. I would also like to thank David Harding for the information and advice over the years in relation to projectiles. The book Lead Shot of the English Civil Wars: A Radical Study is the definitive place to start on ‘reading’ the history of a projectile by detailed study of its surface. It has been a source of information and inspiration for many years now. I am also very much indebted to Bill Flentje, for providing many valuable research references over the years.

J. Russell, May 2026.

A big thank you also to the following people and organisations that have helped out:

The Field Detectives

Wirral Archaeology

Royal Armouries Leeds

The details on this website has been significantly enhanced by the use of a number of publications, to which credit is due. These are:

  • The Boxer Cartridge in the British Service, by B. A Temple, 1977.
  • British Military Firearms 1650-1850, by Howard Blackmore, 1961.
  • British Military Small Arms and Ammunition, by David Ibbetson, 2025.
  • British Small Arms Ammunition 1864 -1938, by Peter Labbett, 1993.
  • The British Soldier’s Firearm 1850-1864, by C. H. Roads, 1964.
  • The Destroying Angel, by Brett Gibbons, 2019.
  • Eley Cartridges, by C. W. Harding, 2006.
  • The English Cartridge, by Brett Gibbons, 2020.
  • Lead Shot of the English Civil Wars: A Radical Study, by David Harding, 2012.
  • Rifle Ammunition, Notes on the Manufactures Connected Therewith, as Conducted in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, by Arthur Hawes, 1859.
  • Smallarms Of The East India Company 1600-1856 Vol III: Ammunition And Performance, by David Harding, 1999.
  • Treatise on Military Small Arms and Ammunition, Lieut.-Col. H. Bond, 1884.