A rusty ball from a New Zealand river

[trikikiwi]

Kia ora T'net. I'm wondering if anyone can identify this item, so I can claim the kudos for T'net with our local paper.
Or hit the link to provide the answer yourself !


Mystery over metal ball found in shingle pit - National - NZ Herald News

It was found on the West Coast of our South Island, lots of mining activity there. Coal and Gold.

Cheers, Mike

 

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[NWMP]

, lots of mining activity there. Coal and Gold.

Cheers, Mike

Several times I have found very large, non cannon, steel balls out here. I attribute them to mining activity such as an industrial drum filled with materials to be crushed/reduced, and the steel balls in the mix to grind them. Yours is obviously not a cannon ball due to the spurs sticking out of it, so this is my guess considering the location of the find.

 

[trikikiwi]

Kia ora, NWMP. I think I have to agree with your knowledgeable guess.
I will keep an eye out for any answer in the newspaper.

 

[BosnMate]

I've never seen or heard of a mill ball with those spurs sticking out, but that's got to be what it is. For crushing ore, and perhaps in this case they didn't want the ore pulverized very fine.

 

[sutphin]

ASPHALT SHINGLE PIT OR WOODEN SHAKE PIT ? WHAT EVER IT IS PRETTY NEAT FIND VANZUTPHEN

 

[trikikiwi]

It appears local consensus agrees that it is a mill ball. It is certainly different to any I've seen before. I appreciate the interest and replies.
Cheers, Mike