Brass Ball with Bronze plug

[Nasmic]

I have had this spherical Ball for many years now and it was originally found at a scrap yard in Krugersdorp, South Africa. I believe it is made of Brass with maybe a Bronze plug. The ball is not solid and there is a definite cavity inside because with a gentle shake there is a rattle inside. The plug has no markings or holes that I would expect to find if it was a fuse. I can not match it up to any cannons or muzzle loaders used in the anglo boer war by size and weight. I also can not match it to any Shot put balls that are used for various age groups. There is no writing or inscription on it indicating that it may be a ball weight either.

Weight = 550g / 1,21 pound
Diameter = 65mm / 2,55 inch
Diameter of Plug = 18mm, diametrically opposite the large plug is a small plug of 2mm.

I would realy appreciate some assistance in trying to identify this ball.

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

That is a nice clear pic but, could you please take one with a penny for size?

 

[Nasmic]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA. I have put a AA size battery next to the ball. Hope this helps.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I think brass balls were used in some one way shut off valves or as a one way check ball from a large pump. The "bronze plug" looks to me from the pic to be corrosion on the metal where it met the liquid in a pipe opening that it blocked. Is it really a plug? Here is another about the same diameter. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,232049.0.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA.

I wish we didnt. The modern zincs are as bad as pop tops IMO.

 

[RPG]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA.

I wish we didnt. The modern zincs are as bad as pop tops IMO.

Amen to that.

 

[Nasmic]

Yes definitely seems to be a plug, took a damp cloth and the plug is now shinear than the ball. It is hollow and something rattles inside.

 

[shaun7]

chinese worry ball?

 

[IronSpike]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA.

I wish we didnt. The modern zincs are as bad as pop tops IMO.

Amen to that.

IMO they can be worse

Is it some sort of grinding stone?

 

[CRUSADER]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA.

I wish we didnt. The modern zincs are as bad as pop tops IMO.

Amen to that.

IMO they can be worse

Is it some sort of grinding stone?

my first thought was milling ball but never seen a plugged one before

 

[IronSpike]

And the plug appear to a different metal alloy

Is the ball for some kind of game/sport? The ball does look to have some rough marks.

The inlay metal identifies players ball.

 

[CRUSADER]

And the plug appear to a different metal alloy

Is the ball for some kind of game/sport? The ball does look to have some rough marks.

The inlay metal identifies players ball.

maybe a french bowl

 

[IronSpike]

Maybe the target ball in Boules?

 

[One mans trash...]

But a petanque jack is small and wooden. And this one's too light and two small to be a shooter, according to the rules. And if something's loose inside, it would be a fiendishly uncontrollable shooter.

Hmmm. To heavy to be a float. No reason for plugs for a valve ball.

Maybe they were going for a specific weight (for use other than as a scale weight) and had drill it out and then plug it. I don't know if a pipeline scrubbing ball ("pig") has to be a specific weight or not.

Climate too warm to have frozen off a brass monkey.

 

[IronSpike]

Found in a scrap yard. Could it be a ball for some sort or gear?

Otherwise will guess time capsule. No telling what's inside

 

[One mans trash...]

If it starts to hum and glow, it's time to go.

 

[blindpig]

Well ,... it looks like the brass balls used in water wells , Bigcypresshunter is somewhat on the money with "shut-off valve and/or one-way check valve etc . In Australia the wind-mill water pumps [ known as a bore ] used them . Anyway , as the water is "lifted" in the well with each stroke [6 ft.+/- ] the ball falls back down to it's set/seal and holds the water from flowing back down , well most of it ? Hope this helps

Soooo , used in a "Bore" ,... not against the "BOER"
Blindpig

** Modifyed Sun , 12:53 P.M. , PST **
P.S. I think it's pluged after they put some "shot" into it , like a dead-blow hammer ,... takes the bounce out of it ?
HAY , Texastee 2007 , good link ,.. its input like this that makes T-net a good place to learn !!

 

[Tony in SC]

Well ,... it looks like the brass balls used in water wells , Bigcypresshunter is somewhat on the money with "shut-off valve and/or one-way check valve etc . In Australia the wind-mill water pumps [ known as a bore ] used them . Anyway , as the water is "lifted" in the well with each stroke [6 ft.+/- ] the ball falls back down to it's set/seal and holds the water from flowing back down , well most of it ? Hope this helps

Soooo , used in a "Bore" ,... not against the "BOER"
Blindpig

Right on!! It's a "check ball" for a large industral or agricultural water pump, or spayer. The windmills that used balls used a 1 inch but most used a leather flapper valve. In my other hobby I see these a lot. Tony

 

[dkw]

Sorry we dont have pennies in SA.

I wish we didnt.

Technically, we don't.

 

[Monty]

Someone send this man a penny for God sakes! How do you expect him to post?
M nty