Help (please) with a Boremann Fuze cannonball...

[GettysburgHistorian]

Images:

I picked this up from a dealer today (owner was not there though) and had some questions if anyone can help. I sincerely appreciate it. Here's what I know:

• Case shot w/Bormann Fuse
• Confederate Artillery round based on timing tick marks (looked this up online)
• 4.52 inches wide, which is consistent with being fired from a 12 pounder cannon
• Found on Secessionville Battlefield (June 16th, 1862) near Charleston SC

1) Is there any danger of it exploding? The card said that there was no powder and only the case shot remained. When you move it slightly, you can hear the metal balls jangling around in there. I read that the powder was held in a space between the two halves with the balls, so since they're moving around... I'm hoping there's no powder?

2) Based on the case shot still being there, I assume this wasn't fired, but had a hole drilled to remove the powder. That's what it looks like anyway. Is that correct based on what you see?

3) If it wasn't fired, is there a way this could've been fired as a solid shot without using the fuse? Just wondering if there still a chance it was fired.

Thanks so much again for any help!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Hello @davebleedsblue.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Thanks very much!

 

[drezac]

if it was drilled, most likely the powder was removed. The shot would have been held in place by a sulfur mixture, then a hole was drilled in the center of that and the powder added. Since it is drilled at the top of the fuse, that's how the powder would have been removed. If you have a bore light you might be able to see if the cavity is empty. There could still be some fuse compound under the timing marks that could burn, but the charge in the center of the fuse would have been destroyed by the drilling.

Since the fuse has not been punched, and the ball and fuse are intact, I would say that you can be fairly certain that it was not fired. If it was fired, the fuse would usually have been punched at a timing mark. also, a fired round would frequently fracture on impact, and the fuse if not punched or if it failed would show some damage. since the fuse and ball are intact, most likely it was somehow dropped or possibly tossed aside during battle because something was wrong with the round (such as a ruptured powder bag, broken straps for example). In battle you are not going try to fix a problem with a round, you would most likely just toss it aside and get another one.

 

[UCVRelics]

Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. Nice piece. If there is a drill hole for powder removal then it should be be safe but sometime when you get from a 3rd party you really don't know if powder was completely. I would soak it in a bucket of water for a few days just to be on the safe side. When I drill them out I always drill 2 holes in order to blow out any powder completely.

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

if it was drilled, most likely the powder was removed. The shot would have been held in place by a sulfur mixture, then a hole was drilled in the center of that and the powder added. Since it is drilled at the top of the fuse, that's how the powder would have been removed. If you have a bore light you might be able to see if the cavity is empty. There could still be some fuse compound under the timing marks that could burn, but the charge in the center of the fuse would have been destroyed by the drilling.

Since the fuse has not been punched, and the ball and fuse are intact, I would say that you can be fairly certain that it was not fired. If it was fired, the fuse would usually have been punched at a timing mark. also, a fired round would frequently fracture on impact, and the fuse if not punched or if it failed would show some damage. since the fuse and ball are intact, most likely it was somehow dropped or possibly tossed aside during battle because something was wrong with the round (such as a ruptured powder bag, broken straps for example). In battle you are not going try to fix a problem with a round, you would most likely just toss it aside and get another one.

Amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to send a reply. I sincerely appreciate it!!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

My first post here and I'm already learning a lot and you folks are super nice. Love this place already. Thank you!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. Nice piece. If there is a drill hole for powder removal then it should be be safe but sometime when you get from a 3rd party you really don't know if powder was completely. I would soak it in a bucket of water for a few days just to be on the safe side. When I drill them out I always drill 2 holes in order to blow out any powder completely.

Ah, will do. Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum @davebleedsblue

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Welcome to the forum @davebleedsblue

Thank you sir!

 

[Mike Serpa]

Welcome. Nice relic!

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[redbob]

Since questions #1 and 2 have been covered, here is my take on #3: If it had been fired without a fuse and hoped that it would detonate; it would have been known as a "rotten shot". If it is fused and hasn't been fired, then it is known as a drop or dropped round. Regardless, you have a good round and welcome aboard from Alabama.

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Welcome. Nice relic!

Thank you!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Welcome, enjoy

Thank you!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Since questions #1 and 2 have been covered, here is my take on #3: If it had been fired without a fuse and hoped that it would detonate; it would have been known as a "rotten shot". If it is fused and hasn't been fired, then it is known as a drop or dropped round. Regardless, you have a good round and welcome aboard from Alabama.

Many thanks for your reply my friend! I feel like I have a safe round that's seen some history.

 

[Pat Young]

Welcome from Long Guyland

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Howdy and Welcome!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Welcome from Long Guyland

Thank you!

 

[GettysburgHistorian]

Thanks!