What is this? Help identifying 10.5in artillery shell (I think)

[chilly]

I picked this up off facebook the other day (well, me and the seller picked it up!) and was hoping for some historical info and possible ordinance concerns if anyone recognizes and can ID.

It's just over 10.5" diameter and about 125lbs. Density math tells me it has a substantial (or at least non-iron) cavity.
There's a 1" hole with a bung of sorts plugging it that looks original or at least very old.
Then there's a 1/2" hole elsewhere that seems like it was a bit rough and caused some substantial chip out around it.
Opposite the 1/2" hole is a <1/8" pinhole which you can see the light of from the 1/2" hole (ie. it goes through).

I'm hoping this is a recognizable artillery shell that has been de-clawed, even if somewhat haphazardly. But don't want to blow myself up based on an incorrect assumption. Any info or suggestions on handling would be greatly appreciated.

 

[UCVRelics]

It looks like a 10.8 inch 130lb for the 11 inch Dahlgren gun. With the small holes it is harmless. Lets see what our arty expert @redbob says.

 

[redbob]

I agree and the cracks, holes etc. may have come from sitting on the ground and years of freezing and thawing.

 

[chilly]

Wow that does looks a good match. I actually got 10.66" diameter measuring via circumference - so that's perfect.

So per that page in the reference book, sound like it is likely from the Civil War then - at least that timeframe? I looked at some pics of that gun and that is quite a hunk of iron.

Glad the safety part isn't a big issue now one way or another. I'll try the water volume trick out of curiousity to see how hollowed out it is in there.

Thanks for the ID!

 

[redbob]

Wow that does looks a good match. I actually got 10.66" diameter measuring via circumference - so that's perfect.

So per that page in the reference book, sound like it is likely from the Civil War then - at least that timeframe? I looked at some pics of that gun and that is quite a hunk of iron.

Glad the safety part isn't a big issue now one way or another. I'll try the water volume trick out of curiousity to see how hollowed out it is in there.

Thanks for the ID!

See if the large round area is magnetic, they often used lead to fill casting imperfections.

 

[chilly]

See if the large round area is magnetic, they often used lead to fill casting imperfections.

Turns out that area is also magnetic. Not sure what that might mean. All the other aspects seem to very much align with that 11" Dahlgren. Some question about that round bung too on my (unfortunately, I apologize again) duplicated thread https://civilwartalk.com/threads/lo...ery-shell-ball-i-acquired.224397/post-2980943

 

[DoctorKingSchultz]

It looks like a 10.8 inch 130lb for the 11 inch Dahlgren gun. With the small holes it is harmless. Lets see what our arty expert @redbob says.

View attachment 592417

The same shot (i.e. Dahlgren XI" with watercap Alger time fuze) but in much better condition for good comparison. As I suggested on this thread: