Cannonball or not?

[sp_curiousrelics]

Hey everyone!
Got this cannonball here, trying to figure out if it is authentic or just a replica. The data I have gathered so far is:
- Weight: 4.66lbs
- Circumference: approx. 12 5/16"
- Hole at the bottom is approx. 2 3/16"
- Mold Vent hole at top is approx. 1"
- Diameter is approx. 3 1/4"

Not sure what kind of cannonball it is, if it even is at all. Not sure about the material it is made of either. Any info is extremely appreciated! Please take a look at the photos as well. Thank you!

 

[JOHN42768]

one of the artillery people will be able to help

 

[John Winn]

I don't think so. The bottom where it is cut off appears to have been manufactured that way and not removed. Also, the diameter doesn't match those in period shot tables. The hole also doesn't appear to be a fuse hole as it isn't threaded as it would be for a Bomann and seems too big to be for a paper fuse holder.

I think it's some type of decorative object.

I'm sure others will be along before too long to give their opinions.

 

[sp_curiousrelics]

one of the artillery people will be able to help

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[sp_curiousrelics]

I don't think so. The bottom where it is cut off appears to have been manufactured that way and not removed. Also, the diameter doesn't match those in period shot tables. The hole also doesn't appear to be a fuse hole as it isn't threaded as it would be for a Bomann and seems too big to be for a paper fuse holder.

I think it's some type of decorative object.

I'm sure others will be along before too long to give their opinions.

I thought the shape was kind of odd and didn't quite understand why it would be cut in half like that anyway? Thank you for the info! Really helpful, I had nothing to go on except for an identifying site I had found and I wasn't knowledgeable enough to really be able to discern if it was authentic or not. Thanks again! Appreciate all the comments

 

[John Winn]

I thought the shape was kind of odd and didn't quite understand why it would be cut in half like that anyway? Thank you for the info! Really helpful, I had nothing to go on except for an identifying site I had found and I wasn't knowledgeable enough to really be able to discern if it was authentic or not. Thanks again! Appreciate all the comments

You are most welcome.

Paging @Frederick14Va Your opinion sir ?

 

[Frederick14Va]

You are most welcome.

Paging @Frederick14Va Your opinion sir ?

John I concur with your observations...

The item does not appear to be anything artillery projectile related... Possibly a counter weight, or more likely decorative related... such as top cap on an iron fence or gate post... with something else smaller protruding from the smaller hole on top... decorative spear point or other object... The round ball caps were quite popular

 

[E_just_E]

Agreed with the above. Another detail: The metal is very thick in places and uneven. The left and right "walls" look much thicker than the top (or bottom) where the (small) hole is. It almost looks like it was made to fit a cylindrical pole of sorts. If a round projectile does not have a uniform thickness it will tumble when flying and will not go far

 

[sp_curiousrelics]

Wow...okay, thanks guys! That's a little disappointing, but its all good. Is it still from the civil war era? Even if it is a fence post top would still be cool if it was that old, ya know?

 

[John Winn]

Wow...okay, thanks guys! That's a little disappointing, but its all good. Is it still from the civil war era? Even if it is a fence post top would still be cool if it was that old, ya know?

I only know the basics of Civil War artillery projectiles (and have a few good references) so I can't help you with aging your artifact. Just looking at it, though, I'd say it's easily a hundred years old.

You don't say how you got it but if you dug it or know exactly where it was dug you might do some research to see what has happened on or near the location. If there was a house or other type of building you'd probably be able to find that out and that might help you make an educated guess. If you were really lucky you might even find an old photograph that might show, for instance, an iron fence. Good luck !

 

[E_just_E]

Wow...okay, thanks guys! That's a little disappointing, but its all good. Is it still from the civil war era? Even if it is a fence post top would still be cool if it was that old, ya know?

based on size vs weight and the color, from here it looks like cast iron. And I'd venture to say that it looks like the top part of a cast iron finial that would have looked a bit like the one pictured below, but less fancy, with its decorative spike and the bottom missing leaving that smaller top and larger bottom holes. Likely later 19th century, but hard to tell from here.

 

[sp_curiousrelics]

Cool! Thanks everyone, this really helps. I didn't dig it up, I got it at a flea market in Cumberland Maryland. All the info has been extremely appreciated, thank you