A gauge measure question.

[Slithery]

I know that a gauge is a medieval unit of measurement, where a gauge is whatever amount it takes to weigh a pound. So, a 10 gauge, it would take 10 of the item to weigh a pound, 30 gauge would be 30 to weigh a pound, etc. My question is, what does this have to do with shotguns? What, if anything, is weighted to make a pound on a 10, 12, 16, etc. gauge?

 

[Claybuster]

It's based on the weight of lead. If it takes 12 balls of lead to make up a pound, the diameter of one of the balls equals 12 gauge.