Find Spot MPM1864 - Finds from the American Bar

Two clay pipes, three cannon balls, two bar shot and metal work found at the American Bar in c1999.

One clay pipe was plain and had been stamped with an 'I' at the bottom of the bowl. This matched one excavated from the nearby Oyster Street site (1968-71) which had a 'C' on the other side. This was identified as having been made by John Castle of Portsmouth who operated between 1720 and 1740, possibly from the Oyster Street kilns.

The second clay pipe was decorated and a 'C' was clearly visible stamped on the bottom of the bowl. It was thought likely that the other letter on the pipe would have been 'A' as a similar pipe found at Oyster Street was stamped with both of these letters. A.C. probably stands for Arthur Coster of Fareham who operated between 1770 and 1810.

Two of the cannon balls weighed approximately 32lb and a smaller one approximately 9Ib. The bar shot was not weighed.

The metal work consisted of a number of handmade nails and unidentifiable objects. It was not possible to date the nails.

Archaeology Officer, 1999, Finds from the American Bar (Unpublished document). SPM492.