Cleaned cannonball still has unknown origin

[Bill D. (VA)]

If you read my post from a few days ago you may remember that I recovered what appeared to be a small cannonball from an early land patent site. I was able to break off a lot of the heavy corrosion with a few taps from a hammer, and the rest came off nicely after a couple days in the electrolysis tank. It turned out to be a solid shot 6-pounder that’s about 3.5” in diameter. But I’m still stumped as to how this ended up right smack in the middle of a 1640s iron patch. I remember from some previous reading that artillery shelling took place in this vicinity during the Rev War that came from British ships in the James River, but this site is almost 2 miles inland so I doubt small artillery fire would have reached this spot. There was also some Civil War activity in this general area. So basically I have no clue where this came from, but I’m not going to complain as it’ll look great in a display with the other period artifacts found at this site.

 

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[BobinSouthVA]

Wow nice job getting that cleaned up. Looks spectacular.

 

[Ifoundit69]

Hey Bill that cannon ball turned out awesome great job ....!

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

That CB turned out great Bill. have a very close look on it for the broad arrow. Not all British CBs had the arrow but if it does then you know the source.
Great find Bill, I love bringing home CBs, drive the wife nuts.
ZDD

 

[Steve in PA]

Iron was always in demand back then. Maybe someone picked it up and carried it back intending for the blacksmith to use it for another purpose. Just an idea that popped into my head as I read your post.

BTW it cleaned up nice and looks great!

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[Hunthicks]

Sometimes it really doesn't make sense why objects end up where they do. Like why there's a 1890s coin on top of an otherwise colonial site, or vice versa. Nice find though!!

 

[rangler]

it might be a ball mill from a gold mining site, lots here in gold country..used in a huge cast iron pot, to crush raw quartz and gold ore,.for further refinement..
just a possibliity from what I have seen.
oro bro
rangler

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

it might be a ball mill from a gold mining site, lots here in gold country..used in a huge cast iron pot, to crush raw quartz and gold ore,.for further refinement..
just a possibliity from what I have seen.
oro bro
rangler

The site is near the coast and there's no gold and very few rocks in this area. Interesting idea, though.

 

[joeyfresh]

Wow, that turned out great Bill! Was that size and weight used in both wars?

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Wow, that turned out great Bill! Was that size and weight used in both wars?

Thanks Joey. I believe the British shot was similar to that used in the CW, but I'm no artillery expert. I bet Dan would know.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

That CB turned out great Bill. have a very close look on it for the broad arrow. Not all British CBs had the arrow but if it does then you know the source.
Great find Bill, I love bringing home CBs, drive the wife nuts.
ZDD

I checked Dave but didn't see any markings. Guess this puzzle will never be solved. Thanks for the input.

 

[DocBeav]

Send a PM to cannonballguy, he's the on to help you on an ID.