The smooth bore flintlock musket was an indispensable tool for 18th and early 19th century militiamen, hunters and farmers. This type of weapon, loaded with lead balls most commonly of .69 to .75 caliber, was capable of firing at the rate of 2 to 4 shots per minute, but had limited accuracy. Musket balls were in use throughout the period of the American Civil War, although flintlocks gave way to percussion or "Cap lock" muskets and the ball itself was reduced in caliber.
