On Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:25:22 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

Being a nit picker I should point out that muskets varied in caliber.
.75, .72, .69 and .58 were all common bores at various times.

The Brits made millions of the .75's and both sides in the war between
the states had rifled muskets, so called, in 58. .72 is 12 gauge,
which may not be a coincidence. The smoothbore muskets, unlike rifles,
could use birdshot, of concern to a farmer, if not a soldier. Shorten
the barrel so you can swing it, not just point it, and you have a
shotgun.

Casady