New Research Into ‘The Shot Heard ‘Round the World’

Show Notes

On this episode of the No Lowballers podcast, host Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker are joined by Joey Bohy, author of the new book Bullet Strikes From the First Day of the American Revolution. This new look at the “Shot Heard Round The World” applies modern ballistics, crime scene recreation and live-fire testing of period firearms to paint a fresh picture of the battles at Concord, Lexington and other sites from April 19, 1775. We learn how the British army left a trail of devastation as it was chased back to Boston by the revolutionary militias and the chaos that ensued. 

Show Topics:


Joel's New Book, "Bullet Strikes":

  • Overview of "Bullet Strikes," which examines the first day of the American Revolution through archaeological findings and ballistics studies.
  • Insights into the archeology project at Minuteman National Park and the live fire studies of flintlock firearms.

Archaeological Insights:

  • Explanation of how modern shooting incident reconstruction techniques were adapted for historical contexts.
  • Detailed descriptions of discoveries from bullet-struck buildings and objects, like a historically significant powder horn.

Ballistic Studies and Their Revelations:

  • Joel discusses how the ballistic studies provided new insights into the engagements of April 19, 1775.
  • The blend of historical data with live-fire results offered a unique perspective on the revolutionary battles.

Human Stories Behind the Battle:

  • Joel shares poignant stories about individuals affected by the events of the revolution, emphasizing the human element in historical studies.

Closing Thoughts:

  • Logan and Allen reflect on the discussion, highlighting the importance of revisiting historical narratives with fresh methodologies.

Show Transcript