Is it a cannon ball?

[slr27ad]

Hi experts!
I am new to this web site so please bare with me. I purchased this item which I believe is a cannon ball. I did a little research but would love some input. It has a 18" circumference which I used a calculator to estimate a 5.73" diam. It weighs about 23.5 lbs. It is solid & appears round. Please see my 2 pictures.

I want to Cannon bore, shot, and shell diameters for smoothbore guns & thought it might be

DIAM WT
24-Pdr. 5.82 5.68 24.3 16.8 12.32

Any info on if it is a cannon ball & possible age would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

In my professional opinion:
Because your cast-iron (not steel) ball matches up EXTREMELY close with the cannonball size and weight specifications from the US Ordnance Manual Of 1861 (at the link you posted), it is indeed a civil war rea 24-Pounder caliber Solid-Shot cannonball.

I should mention... cast-iron balls made in the 1800s (and earlier) often contain large internal casting-flaw airbubbles, which cause the ball to be slightly lighter than it should be for its size (diameter).

I should also mention... your cannonball measures slightly larger than it should, due to a very thin (.025-inch) "coating" of rust-encrustation.

 

[slr27ad]

WOW - thanks great news!!

 

[Johncoho]

I also believe you have a cannon ball. That is one fine artifact.