Solid shot ID

[HblairH]

I recently purchased these and while I believe they may predate the civil war I thought this might be a good place to start in a search for information on them. They were found on a ranch just south of Gonzales, TX while surface hunting for arrow heads. I don't have weights on them as I don't have them in hand yet. The photo is from the seller. Any information would be a huge help. Thanks in advance, Blair

 

[Billw12280]

I recently purchased these and while I believe they may predate the civil war I thought this might be a good place to start in a search for information on them. They were found on a ranch just south of Gonzales, TX while surface hunting for arrow heads. I don't have weights on them as I don't have them in hand yet. The photo is from the seller. Any information would be a huge help. Thanks in advance, Blair

Unfortunately I can't help you but I'm sure somebody here can. I would recommend posting this in the Weapons and ammunition forum though.

 

[Larryh86GT]

It might be tough to ID them but an expert may come through. Good luck.

 

[UCVRelics]

They would have to be pre CW as there were no CW battles in Gonzales. Its hard to say from photos but the first 3 on the left appear to be grape shot and the 3 smaller ones case or canister shot. If original they could be from the 1835 battle in Gonzales during the War of Texas Independence.

 

[HblairH]

Yes that was my thought also. The "Come and Take It" cannon was said to be a Spanish made bronze cannon of 6 pound caliber. This was not the only artillery piece at the battle though as the Texans had a smaller gun called an "esmeril" that was 1 pound or less. This cannon is on display at the museum in Gonzales and has a bore that fits a ball of 1 1/2 inches which the second largest of these balls would fit. There were other fortifications south of Gonzales that these may have come from including DeWitte's Fort dating to the 1820s and the confederate fortification now called Fort Waul (it was not completed but I have been unable to find out if any ordinance was brought there.)

Thanks everyone!

 

[HblairH]

I got them in today and here is the diameter and weight for each one:

1. 2.07 in. - 21.5 ozs

2. 1.43 in - 7.25 ozs (this one is slightly out of round)

3. 1.273 in - 4.8 ozs

4. 1.114 in - 2.65 ozs

5. 1.035 in - 2.1 ozs

6. 0.95 in - 1.8 ozs