Civil War Cannon Ball Destroyed

[photoman475]

From the Fargo Forum:

http://www.inforum.com/news/4069545-civil-war-era-cannonball-destroyed-south-dakota

Sad to see, probably unavoidable.

 

[rob63]

Not so much unavoidable as probably inevitable once the authorities are called. It reminds me that I really need to mark my shells to indicate that they have been deactivated so that they don't get blown up in similar fashion someday. That one looked like it was in really good shape too, sad.

 

[Package4]

Once the authorities are called, there is only one outcome.... the owner was not an ACW buff or collector and thus the end result. The piece in question could have been defused safely and preserved, if one cared to.

 

[photoman475]

What is sad is that the Fort Meade Cavalry Museum probably would have wanted that round, once defused. I'd suspect that the Ellsworth AF UXB crew that blew the round up isn't aware that that museum exists.

 

[samuel orris]

The article stated that it was bowling ball sized. Would that have been a mortar round?

 

[Package4]

Based on the verbiage in the ATF Guide, it is no wonder the local authorities just demolish the device:


§ 179.24 Destructive device determination.

The Director shall determine in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 5845(f), whether
a device is excluded from the definition of a destructive device. A person who desires to obtain a determination
under that provision of law for any device which he believes is not likely to
be used as a weapon shall submit a written request, in triplicate, for a ruling
thereon to the Director. Each such request shall be executed under the
penalties of perjury and contain a complete and accurate description of the device, the name and address of the
manufacturer or importer thereof, the purpose of and use for which it is intended,
and such photographs, diagrams, or drawings as may be necessary
to enable the Director to make his determination. The Director may
require the submission to him, of a sample of such device for examination
and evaluation. If the submission of such device is impracticable, the person
requesting the ruling shall so advise the Director and designate the
place where the device will be available for examination and evaluation.

[36 FR 14256, Aug. 3, 1971. Redesignated at 40
FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975, and amended by T.D.
ATF–48, 44 FR 55842, Sept. 28, 1979]

§ 179.25 Collector's items.

The Director shall determine in accordance with 26 U.S.C. 5845(a), whether
a firearm or device, which although originally designed as a weapon, is by
reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics
primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon. A person
who desires to obtain a determination under that provision of law shall follow
the procedures prescribed in § 179.24 relating to destructive device determinations,
and shall include information as to date of manufacture, value, design
and other characteristics which would sustain a finding that the firearm or
device is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.

[36 FR 14256, Aug. 3, 1971. Redesignated at 40
FR 16835, Apr. 15, 1975, and amended by T.D.
ATF–48, 44 FR 55842, Sept. 28, 1979]

 

[FiremarshalBill]

Is there any value or advantage in having my (completely hollow) 8-inch mortar shell that was brought up from the sea bottom in Mobile Bay, AL many years ago certified as a being "primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon" by the ATF?

 

[Rebforever]

He got off lightly. People have been killed with those things.