The Cherrytree Family

Gauge to Caliber Conversion

The size of a round-ball rifle is spoken of as "so many balls to the pound".  A rifle which was gauged, say, eighty balls to the pound, might actually use a ball 81, 82, 83, or 84 to the pound, depending on the thickness of the patch used with it.  Therefore, a nominal size of the bore meant only that of a ball fitting the bare bore, without the patch.  Following are the micrometer measurements of the gauge used by George Schalk, of Pottsville, PA, 1824-1892.  Schalk was one of America's best rifle smiths and a maker of many famous rifles.  He was "a most careful man" hence, his gauge may be considered reliable.