Hi Callicles ... got a heads up from Mike Ward on this topic .... looking at your ruler and the shot beside it, the shot look smaller than 1.15" ( the 'normal' size for 6pdr or 3.8 James ) they could be case shot balls, or they could be canister shot for your other base ... I agree the lettering on the base represents the word "BASE" , but is there a second set of letters / numbers? (under the word base ?) if it were a James diametered projectile, your base will read "BASE", the second 'set' will be "3.8" . There were also some canisters for the rifled 6pdr, they are about 3.5" dia and the word base appears on it, but no diameter size (as in 3.6") I think the lead shots you are showing are probably canister balls from the Lead sabot round, not the James round. If you can get an accurate (as possible) measurement of the shot, they will be smaller than 1" for your lead based canister, or just over 1" for your James. I am pretty certain the lead sheet material with matrix attached was the remnants of the lead canister round ( likely Wiard ) If they are James 'canister' sabot fragments, you should be able to see the imprint of the ribs from the iron base section, and these WILL NOT be slanted or trapezoidal, as the birdcage openings on the canister base are vertical, not slanted like most typical James rounds. None of 'us' know it all, but the more we see and handle, the more we learn, and canister has been my obsession for about 25 years. If you have access to Jack Meltons book, check page 66, or Pete Georges second issue book, pages 65 / 66 If you want to email me, feel free, Mike can get you in touch with me. Regards, ( and CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!! on that find ... I'd give Mikes left arm for it ) Dave Gotter