Canister shot???

[CWLeadManiac]

I'm a total novice looking for someone more familiar with CW artillery loads than I am. I bought a couple of these at a show, I was told they're canister balls dug at Chickamauga. I cleaned the loose rust off and applied Gempler's. They're definitely iron, weigh about 2.3oz each and measure out at pretty much exactly .99 inches in diameter. I checked a couple of different references but, as I understood it, they listed the smallest canister balls as 1.05-1.08 inches. Does anybody have any ideas?? Thanks in advance!

 

[CWLeadManiac]

Okay, I'm guessing I bought some old iron mill balls!

 

[drezac]

I think you are right on that - Mill balls. It's in too good of condition to have lost .10 in diameter from rust

 

[bayonet]

My understanding is mill balls are made of steel not iron

 

[CWLeadManiac]

My understanding is mill balls are made of steel not iron

I thought I remembered hearing that the old old ones they used to crush copper ore with were iron. I could be wrong...

 

[CWLeadManiac]

After looking into it further, it all boils down to provenance. It's looking like there are few, if any, differences between iron mill balls and canister shot. 1" iron shot was used in some 12 pounders. The person I bought these from said they were dug at Chickamauga so I'm going with that just because it makes me feel better.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Here is an invaluable link to the dimensions of Civil War projectiles. Keep In mind that canister shot were not ball bearings. A certain eccentricity is to be expected. You will want to save this link.

Cannon bore, shot, shell, canister, and grape shot diameters for rifled and smoothbore cannon.

Rifle Canister Cannon Bore Diameter Cannon – RifledPattern # of PiecesDiameter & Shot Material 1.7-inch Whitworth? 24 .65-inch lead shot 2.25-inch CS Mountain Rifle 27 .70-inch lead shot 2.6-inch 6-pdr.

www.historicalpublicationsllc.com

 

[Jack7171]

Here is an invaluable link to the dimensions of Civil War projectiles. Keep In mind nd that canister shot were not ball bearings. A certain eccentricity is to be expected. You will want to save this link.

Cannon bore, shot, shell, canister, and grape shot diameters for rifled and smoothbore cannon.

Rifle Canister Cannon Bore Diameter Cannon – RifledPattern # of PiecesDiameter & Shot Material 1.7-inch Whitworth? 24 .65-inch lead shot 2.25-inch CS Mountain Rifle 27 .70-inch lead shot 2.6-inch 6-pdr.

www.historicalpublicationsllc.com

That site is an amazing resource for anybody wondering about arty projectiles,,,I not only have it saved, it's bookmarked on my homepage for quick access! Ive even gotten to carry a tape measure and a small vernier caliper to cw shows,

 

[Rhea Cole]

That site is an amazing resource for anybody wondering about arty projectiles,,,I not only have it saved, it's bookmarked on my homepage for quick access! Ive even gotten to carry a tape measure and a small vernier caliper to cw shows,

You are now anointed as an official Mr. Peabody of Civil War minutiae.

 

[CWLeadManiac]

Here is an invaluable link to the dimensions of Civil War projectiles. Keep In mind that canister shot were not ball bearings. A certain eccentricity is to be expected. You will want to save this link.

Cannon bore, shot, shell, canister, and grape shot diameters for rifled and smoothbore cannon.

Rifle Canister Cannon Bore Diameter Cannon – RifledPattern # of PiecesDiameter & Shot Material 1.7-inch Whitworth? 24 .65-inch lead shot 2.25-inch CS Mountain Rifle 27 .70-inch lead shot 2.6-inch 6-pdr.

www.historicalpublicationsllc.com

VERY NICE!!! Thanks!!!