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On the origins of gunspalls

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Abstract

Gunflints are of particular interest to historical archaeologists. One process of manufacture involved the wedge-shaped gunspall, which has been attributed to a Dutch origin, and is dated between 1650 and 1770. Upon examination, the argument for the Netherlands as the source is not substantiated.

The terminal dates for this chronology coincide approximately with documentation for the introduction of the French blade technique to England, replacing gunspall-making. Composite evidence is provided from refuse of gunspall production found in English archaeological sites, written evidence for the existence of an “English Hammer,” and gunspalls found in archaeological sites. All these variables are related to each other in terms of manufacture. Nevertheless gunspalls cannot be attributed solely to England. Tentative evidence is provided for their manufacture in France. Gunspalls were definitely made in Denmark. Evidence is also available on the manufacture of gunspalls from flint ballast at Fort Frederica, Georgia.

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  1. Stephen W. White
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White, S.W. On the origins of gunspalls. Hist Arch 9, 65–73 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03373431

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