Interesting Mortar Fragment

[romeo-1]

I've found many mortar fragments but this is the first one I've found with one of the loading loops intact. Found it on the site where I've found other mortar frags, three cannonballs and half a bar shot. It's even got a piece if the fuze hole...Interesting enough to be displayed instead of becoming garden art!

 

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[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

"loading loops" just learned something. I guess they would be hard to pick up, like a big atlas stone.

 

[romeo-1]

I'm sure there's a more technical name for them but I'm too lazy to look it up...ha!

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[N.O. noir et d'or]

That's very interesting Romeo. I don't think I've ever seen one with loops - Great Recovery!

 

[romeo-1]

That's very interesting Romeo. I don't think I've ever seen one with loops - Great Recovery!

Must be somewhat rare...I have a ton of frags and this is the first I've seen with one of the loops intact...

 

[Iron Patch]

Original Item: Only One Available. Most likely this is British, it came from our purchase from Nepal in 2003. This is a highly unusual projectile- being a hollow iron ball over 9" in diameter with about a 1" diameter hole in the top allowing access to the hollow interior.

On either side of this hole are two integral "Loops" or "Rings” which were used to attach hooks from a small crane that would lift the iron ball stuffed with explosives and place it into the mouth of the mortar. The hole would be plugged and maybe even a fuse attached before firing from the Mortar. Once fired the ball would climb to a great altitude and fall onto the desired Enemy position whereupon the ball would explode killing everything in the immediate vicinity- a devasting weapon.

Explosive (hollow) Cannon Balls are extremely rare and desirable, explosive Mortar Balls are even harder to find especially with the lifting rings still in place. Very heavy, not something you can slip into a carrier bag. Rusted patina finish overall just as we discovered it!
9" diameter, Circa 1770-1800


Original 18th Century Explosive Iron Mortar Ball with Lifting Rings ima-usa.com

 

[romeo-1]

Original Item: Only One Available. Most likely this is British, it came from our purchase from Nepal in 2003. This is a highly unusual projectile- being a hollow iron ball over 9" in diameter with about a 1" diameter hole in the top allowing access to the hollow interior.

On either side of this hole are two integral "Loops" or "Rings” which were used to attach hooks from a small crane that would lift the iron ball stuffed with explosives and place it into the mouth of the mortar. The hole would be plugged and maybe even a fuse attached before firing from the Mortar. Once fired the ball would climb to a great altitude and fall onto the desired Enemy position whereupon the ball would explode killing everything in the immediate vicinity- a devasting weapon.

Explosive (hollow) Cannon Balls are extremely rare and desirable, explosive Mortar Balls are even harder to find especially with the lifting rings still in place. Very heavy, not something you can slip into a carrier bag. Rusted patina finish overall just as we discovered it!
9" diameter, Circa 1770-1800


Original 18th Century Explosive Iron Mortar Ball with Lifting Rings ima-usa.com

$995 for the complete ball...I should be able to get $200 for my piece...

 

[Iron Patch]

$995 for the complete ball...I should be able to get $200 for my piece...

I think I'd focus on finding a complete one rather than a buyer for the piece. Must have been quite a sight seeing those things fired.

 

[romeo-1]

I think I'd focus on finding a complete one rather than a buyer for the piece. Must have been quite a sight seeing those things fired.

There's only one place I would find a complete one...and odds are the museum would probably frown on me trying to walk out with it...

 

[MaineRelic]

Love it when I learn something ! Interesting find Romeo ! If a whole one is $1000,00 . The fragment with the loop is probably worth more than most of the old silver coins we find . Nice displayable piece of history . Can you associate it with an actual battle ?? MaineRelic

 

[The Patriot]

Was that the same site as I found all my frags? I will post up the ones I found on my trip down there a few years ago at some point...I may have something similiar.

 

[romeo-1]

Was that the same site as I found all my frags? I will post up the ones I found on my trip down there a few years ago at some point...I may have something similiar.

This was the field that i pointed out to you just above the beach we hunted. Yes please, post your frags. Didn't you find one with a really pronounced lip?

 

[romeo-1]

Love it when I learn something ! Interesting find Romeo ! If a whole one is $1000,00 . The fragment with the loop is probably worth more than most of the old silver coins we find . Nice displayable piece of history . Can you associate it with an actual battle ?? MaineRelic

Yep, I'm 90% sure it is associated with a prolonged engagement between the French and English in 1710.

 

[Ahab8]

Yep, I'm 90% sure it is associated with a prolonged engagement between the French and English in 1710.

Very cool find and history bud

 

[UnderMiner]

Imagine having that thing rip through your body. Damn!
Sweet find!

 

[DigIron2]

that's a big *** shell fragment,nice!

 

[The Patriot]

Yes I recall that pronounced tip...I haven't looked at them since the day I got home from that trip...hope they are not rust crumbs now...will post up tomorrow before my evening shift...

This was the field that i pointed out to you just above the beach we hunted. Yes please, post your frags. Didn't you find one with a really pronounced lip?

 

[ironhorse]

From knowing nothing to everything about loading loops and then some

Your personal.museum will display it well

 

[bootybandit]

Cool find!