Cannon Ball ?

[undertaker]

This 2lb. iron ball was found years ago in Lake George Ny. It's approximate size is 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches wide. I can't see any markings on it. Can anyone tell me if this could possibly be a colonial cannon ball or is it to small?

 

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[huntsman53]

It sure looks like one but wait until The CannonballGuy has a chance to make an assessment!


Frank

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

First... the "pounder" designation of cannon calibers is based on the weight of the Solid-Shot (not hollow) cannonball fired by that caliber of cannon. For example, a "6-Pounder" cannon's Solid-Shot cannonball weighed within one ounce of 6.0 pounds.
The non-electronic scale in the photos shows this ball weighs a teeny bit less than 2 pounds. There was a 2-Pounder caliber cannon in the Colonial era. So, this ball MIGHT be a 2-Pounder cannonball.
But to confirm with 100% certainty whether it is or is not actually a 2-Pounder cannonball, we need super-precise measurement of it weight AND its diameter. To do that, you'll need to weigh it on an electronic Postal Shipping scale. You'll also need to chip the rust-encrustation off of four spots on opposite sides of the ball, so its "naked" iron surface can be accurately measured with a Digital Caliper, in hundredths-of-an-inch.
Super-precise measurements of the ball's weight and diameter are needed for two reasons:
1- The very-exact diameter measurement will tell us whether or not this ball is the precisely-correct diameter to "properly" fit into a 2-Pounder cannon's bore.
2- In combination with the diameter measurement, the very-exact weight measurement will tell us whether this ball is made of steel or of iron. The reason the metal-type matters is that no STEEL cannonballs are known to have been used in North America. If this ball is made of steel, it is not a cannonball.

The 1861 US Ordnance Manual says a cast-IRON ball which weighs precisely 2.00 pounds will always be 2.46-inches in diameter. Steel is about 10% heavier than simple iron... so a 2.00-pound steel ball will be less somewhat smaller than a cat-iron ball. Therefore, the precisely-measured weight and diameter of a solid (not hollow) ball tells us whether it is made of steel or of iron.

 

[undertaker]

Thanks for the info. I have a digital scale and calipers at work that I could use. Problem is ammo on the premises can be a automatic job termination. I not sure what they would say about a cannon ball but Im not going to chance it. My brother has a digital scale for reloading which I could use if it goes up to 2 lbs. and Im sure I can find something to get a accurate diameter measurement. I just tried again on weight and measurement after zeroing in scale and it looks like just under 2lbs and 2 1/2 inches. I will try to get more accurate measure and get back to you.