Ordnance Identification & Deactivation Process Needed

[Ed Harding]

I am from Western New York & was out searching for additional cannonballs that were fired for practice by the local New York State Militia in 1850. I had found my first two as a child in 1969. In 2014 I located a document referencing the practice & found an additional 9 cannonballs 4 months ago. After reviewing the geographic area on an aerial photo, I identified another potential target location. Upon investigation with my metal detector, I ended up finding 3 potential live shells, an exploded shell & a cannonball. I believe the shells to be from the early 1860's, possible 2.9" diameter 10 pounder Parrott Rifle shells or a Model 1861 3" Ordnance Rifle from the Phoenix Iron Works. Can anyone tell from the photos what gun they came from? The unique Sabot appears to be lead.
The local bomb squad has the shells in their possession & intend to x-ray them at some point & will probably destroy them. Is it possible to save these historic shells by deactivation? I have additional research to do to determine the group that fired them. Could the cannonball with the pointed corrosion be due to a fuze on it?

 

[FrenchZouave]

Do a search. There are many qualified people who do deactivation for a fee.

 

[Russell]

Yes, they can be deactivated and cleaned, please don't destroy if at all possible

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome! Let me see if I can get you some help on your questions. Paging @ucvrelics
@Package4

 

[Ed Harding]

Yes, they can be deactivated and cleaned, please don't destroy if at all possible

The bomb squad has to be convinced to save them. Time is of the essence. May search for more tomorrow.

 

[lupaglupa]

Have you tried contacting the state agency for parks and historic preservation? If you can convince them of the potential historic value of these shells they may be able to protect them They might also know of who in your part of the state can do a deactivation.

State Historic Preservation Office - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

New York's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, and revitalize their historic, archeological, and cultural resources.

parks.ny.gov

 

[lupaglupa]

Second idea - you might reach out to the NYS military museum in Saratoga for help. They're under the division of military and naval affairs so a different agency (and knowing New York they don't coordinate...) -

Home

The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center tells the story of New York State’s rich military history and the service and sacrifice of its citizens through interpretive exhibitions, public programs, and the collection and preservation of artifacts and archival material...

museum.dmna.ny.gov

 

[UCVRelics]

Interesting finds. The 3 complete one appear to be 2.9 inch Parrott with high band rabbeted brass band sabots. One looks as if it has a zinc percussion and the other a zinc time fuse. They can be saved by drilling a hole to remove the powder and then put them in electrolysis to remove the rust and then coated. I have done over 100 of them and you have to know just what you are doing as it is a SLOW meticulous process.You do NOT need to attempt this.

 

[Ed Harding]

Second idea - you might reach out to the NYS military museum in Saratoga for help. They're under the division of military and naval affairs so a different agency (and knowing New York they don't coordinate...) -

Home

The New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center tells the story of New York State’s rich military history and the service and sacrifice of its citizens through interpretive exhibitions, public programs, and the collection and preservation of artifacts and archival material...

museum.dmna.ny.gov

I had been in contact wuth the NYS Military Museum prior to my latest finds to research who fired the cannonballs I had found earlier. I even contacted them immediately upon discovering the shells. They had no recommendation as to deactivating them. I'll try Parks & Historic Preservation. Thanks!

 

[bayonet]

Interesting finds. The 3 complete one appear to be 2.9 inch Parrott with high band rabbeted brass band sabots. One looks as if it has a zinc percussion and the other a zinc time fuse. They can be saved by drilling a hole to remove the powder and then put them in electrolysis to remove the rust and then coated. I have done over 100 of them and you have to know just what you are doing as it is a SLOW meticulous process.You do NOT need to attempt this

Yes sadly years ago a major collector in recovered cannonballs and with much experience in deactivation still had one explode and kill him. Then along came the locals and destroyed his whole collection even the ones that were no threat at all.

 

[UCVRelics]

I'll try Parks & Historic Preservation. Thanks!

I believe this will be their answer.

 

[Ed Harding]

I believe this will be their answer.
View attachment 457808

You're probably right!