cannon ball?

[je177]

A buddy of mine has a metal ball that he found inside the ceiling of an old home from the 1800's. It is described as being approximately the size of a baseball and weight estimated to be about 5 lbs. He stated that someone painted it a goldish color (maybe
to preserve it). He believes it is made of steel because of some rust spots. I'm waiting on a picture of it to post. I told him that if anyone could id it, it would be someone here. I asked him if he felt it was a cannon ball. He said, " what else would you do with it?". I didn't have an answer. Any ideas as to what this could be? He and I are very curious. It is smaller than the cannon balls that I've seen. Thanks in advance!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[Monty]

It could be one of several things including a cannon ball. If the house was in a CW battle area and/or if there is something to tie the house to the CW era it may be possible to ident as a cannon ball. But without some kind of history and measurements, etc., a picture alone won't be too much help. However I guess it is better than nothing? Monty

 

[je177]

the house was located in southeastern MA. I guess I will have to get some other info to get a positive Id. Thanks

 

[dcinffxva]

It's certainly possible that it came from a 3" gun, or something similar, but it's also possible it could be something else. Impossible to tell without pictures, and still difficult to tell even with. If it's possibly CW era, it's probably not made of steel, or if it's steel, it's probably not CW era. Iron would be a better probability.

 

[bushlight]

Shotput maybe?

 

[littleneckhalfshell]

shot put's come in various sizes and weights.

A common ladies shot put is roughly 3.75 inches in diameter and a common mens size would be 4.33 inches in diameter.
gold paint is a common color to paint a shot put.

I suppose it could be a cannon ball that someone painted, anything is possible, but if I were a betting man, I would bet on it being a shot put from what you have described.

 

[relichunters]

Doesn't sound like a cannon ball, from what I've seen and heard. There is a dozen things it could be.
If you dropped a cannon ball just 6 inches from the ground it will explode and kill you instantly. There was a guy polishing one out on his driveway when it slipped, blew him up, and sent pieces though a window of a house 2 blocks down the street.

 

[Ramitt]

Not all cannonballs explode.

 

[relichunters]

Yes it depends if its solid or filled with gun powder.
I like to believe all can explode, that way I am very careful with them just in case.

 

[je177]

i don't believe the item is a ladies shot put and it's definately not a men's. I still haven't gotten the exact measurements. I said that it was about the size of a baseball earlier. I believe that it is slightly smaller.

 

[Evolx10]

all cannon balls explode in the movies!, shoot it from a cannon , if it explodes it was an old artillery shell (barring u found the plug and inserted a fuse) if it makes a little thud and a small crater in the mud its either a cannon ball shot, or its a shot-put u just fired from an old cannon.