Cannon ball id

[CWguy]

Hope all had a great holiday and hope this new year will bring good health and happiness? I have had this ball for years in my barn and would like to find out more about it. I do not have much knowledge on these. About 12 3/4" around. Weighs 9 to 12 pounds. I will get an accurate weight today. My scale is way off. It is perfectly round with a seam encircling it. Thanks Bill

 

[M.Warren]

Looks like a 12 pounder to me. Judging by the plug it is very likely still loaded with volatile black powder and possibly shot. I know you said its in the barn, good move. Instant death sitting there.

http://whitetailwoodsblog.blogspot.com/2013/07/cannonball-found-at-atlanta.html

 

[mikekj]

Why would it be any more "volatile" the that pound of black powder sitting on my loading bench?

Why not just pull the wooden plug and pour the powder out?

 

[M.Warren]

Why would it be any more "volatile" the that pound of black powder sitting on my loading bench?

Why not just pull the wooden plug and pour the powder out?

Its not. That was my whole point, Mikej. Meaning old black powder doesn't stop "working", it still goes boom.

 

[mikekj]

Oh. OK.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Not convinced this is actually a Civil War vintage cannon ball. The 12 lbr would measure approx. 14.25 in circumference, the 6 lbr would measure about 11.25 in. and too large for a grapeshot ball. This one appears to be solid cast. Ive seen similar circular mandrel mold marks on other solid cast iron balls, its not a fuse hole or plug. There were other non military uses for iron balls beyond cannon fodder, including some industrial weight scales, counter weights, ballast, mill grinding-pulverizing, etc... that could be also considered.

 

[M.Warren]

Not convinced this is actually a Civil War vintage cannon ball. The 12 lbr would measure approx. 14.25 in circumference, the 6 lbr would measure about 11.25 in. and too large for a grapeshot ball. This one appears to be solid cast. Ive seen similar circular mandrel mold marks on other solid cast iron balls, its not a fuse hole or plug. There were other non military uses for iron balls beyond cannon fodder, including some industrial weight scales, counter weights, ballast, mill grinding-pulverizing, etc... that could be also considered.

Very true. I first thought CSA side load case shot, but after looking at all the pics, I see no fuse hole.

 

[CWguy]

What ever it is it is for sale. Probably pickup only. I only know it has been here for many many years. Thanks for all of the responses. A great forum for great information.

 

[M.Warren]

Yup, good call again on not mailing that. I'd be interested but not drive 10 hours with a bomb in my car interested. If you ever get to NC hit me up!

 

[Tin cup]

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

Kevin Dally

 

[CWguy]

Kevin, nice chart for this stuff. Thanks to all.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

It can not "go off" without the powder coming in contact with a way to ignite it.....It is NOT as volatile as nitroglycerine!!