Ironic target leads to cannonball?

[Brian in MA]

'Iron'ic target leads to cannonball?

Hello everyone, I set out to one of my spots with the intent of digging and removing iron objects in hopes that these items may be masking ‘good’ targets. Turns out the iron finds were the best finds.

In addition to two nice axe heads, I also found what I believe is a cannonball. It was found in an area that has produced many colonial-era finds including a Continental Army Mass. 10[SUP]th[/SUP] Regiment button that I found several years ago. The spot is also close to 1700’s training field.

I’m hoping that some of you may be able to confirm a few things for me such as: is it in fact a cannonball? If so, is it a solid shot ball? I don’t see an obvious fuse but it is pretty encrusted and I’m not really sure what to look for anyway. Finally, if it is an actual cannonball, what era might it be from?

I have ordered a postal scale which should be here tomorrow. Once it arrives I’ll be able to get an accurate weight. My guesstimate is around 12-15 pounds. It is about 5 ¾” in diameter.

I have done nothing with it, as far as cleaning, as I want to make sure it is safe to do so before proceeding. Assuming that is a cannonball, I plan on beginning the electrolysis baths in hopes of preserving it the best that I can.
Thanks for any feedback you can offer.

Brian in MA

 

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[CASPER-2]

you would easily see if it had a fuse - don't think many rev balls of that size had them anyways

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Congrats on cannonball and axe heads! Hopefully someone can help you ID it. HH!

 

[ironhorse]

Based on what you've described, why would you believe that it's anything but a cannonball!

It's always a thrill for me to dig one, I think they are a wonderful relic find!

your method of attack on the site is a testament to the "dig everything" mentality, I whole heartedly agree, every signal is potentially something good, you just proved it for me

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Nice finds! Like IronHorse said, the dig everything approach is the way to go!

 

[pepperj]

What a nice surprise digging up iron that makes for a memorable hunt, congrats on the finds.

 

[Brian in MA]

Thanks for the replies.

Based on what you've described, why would you believe that it's anything but a cannonball!

My first impression was that it had to be a cannonball considering where I found it. But, not having found one in my 35 years of hunting, I have little knowledge with them. I know some people have thought they found a cannonball only to be disappointed later to find out it was a shut put or a mining ball. I do believe the odds are in my favor that this is a real cannonball.

My postal scale was delivered just a few minutes ago. I eagerly set it up and threw the ball on it. So much for my guesstimate. This thing weighs in at almost 23 lbs. Does that weight match up with any known types.

I have purposely dug iron targets plenty of times in the past. But, this was the first time that I set out to dig only iron in hopes of 'cleaning' the area. Certainly seems to have paid off, just not in the way I expected.

Thanks again for the replies.

Brian

 

[Silver Tree Chaser]

Thanks for the replies.



My first impression was that it had to be a cannonball considering where I found it. But, not having found one in my 35 years of hunting, I have little knowledge with them. I know some people have thought they found a cannonball only to be disappointed later to find out it was a shut put or a mining ball. I do believe the odds are in my favor that this is a real cannonball.

My postal scale was delivered just a few minutes ago. I eagerly set it up and threw the ball on it. So much for my guesstimate. This thing weighs in at almost 23 lbs. Does that weight match up with any known types.

I have purposely dug iron targets plenty of times in the past. But, this was the first time that I set out to dig only iron in hopes of 'cleaning' the area. Certainly seems to have paid off, just not in the way I expected.

Thanks again for the replies.

Brian

Brian - I think that you've definitely found a 24 pounder cannonball. Your 23 # weigh-in is close enough. Perhaps there's some degradation of the iron content from its long burial. There was probably some slight variance in weight way back then. Cannonball sizes ran 4, 6, 12, 18, 24 pounds and up. I thought that perhaps the 24 pounders were only found on ship decks due to the enormous weight of the cannon, but I just read online about 24 pounders on land carriages in use by the Continental Army. I've got a couple of six-pounders from the Rev. War, and electrolysis was the only method that could stop ongoing rust. Congrats on a historic find.

 

[Rusted_Iron]

Now that's my kind of hunt. Congratulations on the finds. I would clean those ax heads with electrolysis too. They could be early... would like to see them without the encrustations to get a better idea. Based on the amount of rust, they've been there a while.

 

[The Patriot]

Love finding those...just cleaned and preserved 2 cannonballs yesterday!.. congrats!

 

[ModernMiner]

Awesome find Brian. I've never dug a cannonball yet. That's a great piece of history to be proud of.
It's going to look great displayed after some electrolysis.
Congrats,
MM

 

[sandy shoes]

great find Brian i live in mass myself and have some old sights including a fort but have not found a cannonball congrats.