Is this a cannonball? Is this dangerous? Help!

[MrMarsHill]

I'll start by saying this item is not in my possession. I am considering purchasing this as a cannonball , but I need help. I am just not experienced enough to tell. On top of that, I'm not sure if this baby could be ready to blow! I know it wouldn't be the first time any way. This ball was found in Massachusetts, that's all the story I know. The ball is 4" in diameter and weighs 7.4lbs. I know someone here can say with some certainty whether or not this is a cannonball and hopefully whether or not it appears dangerous. The seller is unsure and just stated the item is thought to be a cannonball. The price is great, but not too good to be true... but this ball is currently unidentified. Is it a cannonball? Shotput? Decoration? It does appear to me to be cast iron and the 7.4 lbs and 4" diameter seem correct? I appreciate any info, I'd love to add this to my collection if its authentic and safe. If the item is "LIVE" how or who do I get a hold of to make this baby safe? That's a question probably better left for after the ID, but if it is a cannonball and is dangerous, that's my next question anyway lol. I appreciate it guys!



Jim Brown
Bonez Customs and Collectables
@bonezcustoms on IG

 

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[Joe-Dirt]

any idea where it was found in mass. ?
there was a trail from the west to Boston, including general Washington
look at knox trail for example
Brady

The Knox trail went through my yard growing up, that’s where we found the colonial bottle dumps we sold off to the local antique stores (I was 10 and fifty cents was big money). There is a arched stone bridge off of stone bridge road in Wayland Massachusetts that Knox and his troops crossed that is about to collapse. Half of it was blown down in a hurricane in the 1950’s, I spent many a summers night fishing from that bridge, I hope they decide to preserve it.

 

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[A2coins]

Very nice relic I've always wanted one

 

[Megalodon]

I've been helping my son at his old house and noticed this for the first time today and remembered this thread and TheCannonballGuy's expert post. Perhaps this is one thing you can do with your cannonballs when your house is full of artifacts and fossils - store them in an old door. These also appear to have two sprues. No measurements of any kind but the 2x4 is for scale. Don't slam the door, or boom!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Megalodon, thanks very much for contributing that photo. In trying to educate folks about iron balls which in actuality are definitely NOT a cannonball (nor any other kind of Artillery ball, such as a Grapeshot ball), many times I've mentioned "Ornamental Ironwork" balls... like iron fence and gate post top balls. Now thanks to you, I've got a photo to show them an example.