I've been trying to figure out what type of "ordinance" would have a protruding steel plug hole as this has.
Found one exactly like it on a war artillery site...but there's was iron..this one I believe is stone...the plug hole is exactly the same.....I've been trying to figure out what type of "ordinance" would have a protruding steel plug hole as this has.
The actual metal composition looks more "white metal" (lead, aluminum, zinc) than steel.
Reasons for this statement is it's pitted, corroded, where the elements (salt water) has decayed it many places.
I should be asking you where/how did you come to the conclude this was a cannonball from that era?
If I had found it I would of thought a final off a post/fence/building architecture of some sorts.
They used to use stone before leadFound one exactly like it on a war artillery site...but there's was iron..this one I believe is stone...the plug hole is exactly the same.....
Maybe you can link the site.Found one exactly like it on a war artillery site...but there's was iron..this one I believe is stone...the plug hole is exactly the same.....
Ambrose antiques under google...then type in 1600-1700 cannonball and stroll downMaybe you can link the site.
This doesn't look like stone either.
Bit's are falling apart in the picture.
Found on land...about 7-8 inches down...not sure on the weight yet...I believe this is the one you have referenced and yes it kind of looks like the same.
But not the same either.
Question: Is the one that you found hollow?
Can you shine a light down into the hole and take a picture?
Also what is the weight of your ball?
View attachment 2113815
It could be the lighting of the picture that gives that look.Found on land...about 7-8 inches down...not sure on the weight yet...
I got a light down and at the bottom of the hole it flares out alittle like a bowl...I believe this is the one you have referenced and yes it kind of looks like the same.
But not the same either.
Question: Is the one that you found hollow?
Can you shine a light down into the hole and take a picture?
Also what is the weight of your ball?
View attachment 2113815
Not aluminum or zinc....it's exactly stoneIt's an interesting piece but definitely not a grenade, cannonball or related projectile. As already observed the pitting and oxidation suggest it is made of aluminum or zinc, metals which weren't available until over a century after your proposed date. The diameter is on the large side but still normal for an antique 1930s-40s ball gear shift knob, or it might be a spherical finial from something like a flagpole, but whatever it is it's unlikely to date to earlier than the 20th century.
Took it to the historical society and confirmed...Not aluminum or zinc....it's exactly stone
It's exactly I believe granite..or iron stone...and the plug hole is where they would put black powder and a paper wick or some type of wickI've been trying to figure out what type of "ordinance" would have a protruding steel plug hole as this has.
The actual metal composition looks more "white metal" (lead, aluminum, zinc) than steel.
Reasons for this statement is it's pitted, corroded, where the elements (salt water) has decayed it many places.
I should be asking you where/how did you come to the conclude this was a cannonball from that era?
If I had found it I would of thought a final off a post/fence/building architecture of some sorts.
I bet you $10 that if you file through that oxide crust the unmistakable silvery/grey luster of metal will reveal itself in just a few moments. At a glance you might think these ancient projectiles of mine are "exactly stone" too, but they're in fact all made of lead. Chemical attack over many years of burial can do strange things to the appearance of metal, but I've seen enough long-buried pieces of old cast aluminum with pitting and surfaces just like that of your sphere to be confident in the assessment.Not aluminum or zinc....it's exactly stone
Lead is a soft material right?...I bet you $10 that if you file through that oxide crust the unmistakable silvery/grey luster of metal will reveal itself in just a few moments. At a glance you might think these ancient projectiles of mine are "exactly stone" too, but they're in fact all made of lead. Chemical attack over many years of burial can do strange things to the appearance of metal, but I've seen enough long-buried pieces of old cast aluminum with pitting and surfaces just like that of your sphere to be confident in the assessment.
View attachment 2113978
Yes of course, but besides providing an example of the superficial transformation of a metal after years of burial the physical properties of lead aren't relevant to your sphere. Why do you ask?Lead is a soft material right?...