Big Chrome Ball

[Lafitte]

Found on closed Army base. No bolt-holes, weld spots for attachment to anything. I would have taken a pic of the other side, but it looks the same.
Any clues?

What it ain't:
Shot-putt trophy
Basketball for munchkins
My other one. 8)




Also, is there a way to date shell casings that range from pre WW1 thru 1950's?

Thanks in advance
Laff

 

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[CRUSADER]

French bowls (100% sure, played it a few times)

Played in a sandpit & you lob the ball in the air with backspin & land it near a tiny white ball.

http://www.dave-cushman.net/pet/petanq.html

 

[CodyCat Borat]

Christmas decoration?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Oh, I just know I'm going to regret this . . . but here is my pair. These were given to me after I did a stupid, stupid thing and tried to hold a stick, as I was cleaning up after felling a tree, with one hand while lopping it into kindling with a chainsaw. Two semi-severed fingers, sawn mostly through and broken at the second joints on my left hand later I was up for months and months of rehab. I started with rolled socks, then squeezing tennis balls, then these. They're relatively heavy (chrome plated brass but partially hollow with a clapper of some type so they "gong" if stopped fast). The little pamphlet is titled "Dilections Healthy Ball" and, basically, you are supposed to twirl them in your palm by rolling your fingers (kind of a entry-level to the magicians rolling a half dollar along the tops of their fingers. I can now do these clockwise or counter-clockwise and have 100% use of my left hand back. Whew.

Anyway, your's is bigger, so it may well be a Bocchi ball or the French equivalent as noted. Or, one of a set of even healthier balls.

 

[mastereagle22]

An old Beryllium sphere that they are looking for as we speak. 8) 8)

 

[dkw]

Also, is there a way to date shell casings that range from pre WW1 thru 1950's?

Thanks in advance
Laff

Most military brass from those years should have the date on the headstamp.

 

[Montana Jim]

Bocce... no question, Crusader and Charlie are correct.

http://www.natashascafe.com/html/bocceball.html

 

[Lafitte]

Thanks to all for the great answers. On both questions. That find had me stumped.

Of course if I find another one, I'll have a pair of healthier balls than Charlie P. owns.