What kind of ball is this?

[Ammoman]

I dug this today. It is not made of lead or iron. Not sure what it is made of but the color is green, over one inch in diameter and weighs 137 grams.

Any ideas? I was told it’s not likely war related.



Thanks for your input!

 

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[Tony in SC]

Being green it is probably brass and could be a check ball/valve from a pump.

 

[Ammoman]

hmmm....very good possibility. Stranger things have been found in yards for sure.

 

[Red-Coat]

If that grid you're showing it on is squared in inches divided into eighths and your weight is accurate, then it has a specific gravity of about 4.7 versus above 8 for brass or bronze. It would have to be hollow, or not brass. Is there any sign of a seam?

 

[Ammoman]

Yes the grid is one inch with eighths and quarter inch marks. And yes the weight is pretty close...to be exact, the weight is 137.65 grams. I have looked hard but do not see any seams.

It sure feels solid. If it is not brass, what kind of metal could it be?

 

[CaptEsteban]

Your weight converts to almost 5 ounces.

 

[Red-Coat]

Your weight converts to almost 5 ounces.

Which, as I said, equates to a Specific Gravity of about 4.7

The ball appears to be almost 1 ½ inches in diameter. Let’s call it 3.8cm, which means it has a volume of about 28.7 cubic centimetres. For a mass of 137.65g, that calculates to a specific gravity of 4.796

Metal Specific Gravities for comparison:

2.70 for Aluminium
4.51 for Titanium
7.05 for ‘White Metal’ (typical average)
7.13 for Zinc
7.26 for Tin
7.40- 8.90 for Bronze (typical range)
7.48-7.95 for Stainless Steel
7.86 for Mild Steel
7.87 for Iron
8.40-8.73 for Brass (typical range)
8.90 for Nickel
8.96 for Copper
11.36 for Lead

If it is actually metal, is made from common metals, and is not hollow, it could only be an aluminium alloy (alooominum, if you must ). Unless it is hollow but has an undetectable seam.

 

[Ammoman]

It gave a VDI number of 95 on the Deus and it is not magnetic. If it were aluminum i would think the ball would wipe clean and shine up nice. Instead, it has a greenish / brown patina to it. Maybe it is hallow. LOL i may have to cut it up to find out!

 

[dotread]

ummm I think I agree with Tony, it could be a check ball/valve from a pump.