cannon ball ???

[Cletus]

A buddy dug this while installing a propane tank. i'm thinking it is a cannon ball but would like your opinion.

 

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[Tpmetal]

can't see photo?

 

[Tpmetal]

can't see photo?

Also get together measurements and precise weight. Can not likely identify with out.

 

[Cletus]

seems that photo bucket has changed the rules and do not allow 3rd party posting. so how do I put my pics. on now ??

 

[Cletus]

 

[Tpmetal]

better, now how about exact diameter and exact weight and we can confirm if it is. Though by looking at it I wouldn't want to shoot that thing out of a cannon with all the deformations. more photos of any other seam lines or anything would help as well. Might be a mill ball

 

[Cletus]

 

[Cletus]

Having trouble posting pics. This ball measures 9.5" around and weighs just under 4lb.

 

[Molewacker]

It looks - like a cannonball that was/is fused - so be CAREFUL

See the 65 lb cannonball thread - page 2

CHIPEOD and cannonball guy can set you in the right direction to verify, identify, and keep you and friend safe.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

It kinda-sorta looks like it has a fuzeplug but its diameter-to-weight ration proves beyond any doubt that it is a Solid (not hollow) ball. In this case, what looks like a fuzeplug is either an actual iron plug or a casting mold's vent-hole projection.

Unfortunately Cletus's info for diameter and weight is too imprecise for me to say whether the ball is a cannonball or not.

Here's a link to an educational article I co-wrote about how to tell with CERTAINTY whether a ball is an Artillery ball or not, incluing helpful instructions and photos. For example, it shows a Diameter-Tape (a.k.a. Pi Tape) and how to use one ACCURATELY on a ball.
SolidShotEssentialsMod

Doing the "Pi" math (9.5" circumference divided by 3.1416), the ball is about 3.02-inches in diameter, and is reported to weigh "just under 4 pounds." According to the US 1861 Ordnance Manual's cannonball diameter-&-weight charts (www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm) there was a RevWar 4-Pounder caliber Solid-Shot cannonball that weighed 4 pounds 1 ounce and was 3.12-inches in diameter. So, the not-very-precise report from Cletus indicates this ball is a little too small and too light to be a cannonball. Might want to borrow a Digital Caliper to do the precise diameter measuring that is need. Also, please weigh it on a precision scale, such as a Postal Shipping scale, and then report the very-precise diameter and weight info to us.

 

[Cletus]

Thank you very much. I will try to get better measurements.

 

[smokeythecat]

I have dug balls exactly like yours on the Brandywine, PA battlefield of 1777. Winchester saw a lot of activity during the Revolution. I have always thought that was the sprue mark on the Rev War balls. There was a particular foundry in NY state I believe these were cast at. Nice find.