How do determine if this is a cannonball?

[cdism]

How do I determine if this is a cannonball?
The ball is 2inches in diameter, roughly 1lb. Haven't put it on a scale yet. I knocked off the rust to find markings/seam, but found none. Anyone have any ideas what this is other than a cannonball (if it isn't one of course). See pics attached:

 

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[CoilyGirl]

My guess is grape shot.Welcome to TN by the way.

Grapeshot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

It would be a grapeshot since it's that small. But I can't confirm that since I'm not an expert. Could also be a mill grinding ball which is always a possibility. Wait for TNet's artillery expert, TheCannonballGuy, to chime in. He will give you an exact answer. Welcome to TreasureNet

 

[cdism]

That's what I was thinking. I am having trouble with identification as I found it in wood chips used for ground cover in suburbia of all places. Must have been scooped up along with the wood is all I can think of.

 

[cdism]

Well that makes sense... just looked up a mill ball and though mine has no seams, I am pretty sure that's what I have found. Especially since it was found in the crushed wood chips... Dang it! Another fantasy of finding an antique cannon ball ruined! Seriously though, learned a lot about cannon balls this morning and if I ever do find a real one, I will certainly post it here first. Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[carcusrex]

This is one of the reasons why I like this web site so much. So many great people here to share thier knowledge and I learn something just about every day I visit this site.

 

[DocBeav]

Cannonballguy will be along shortly I'm sure! He's the one to help you with an ID on it.

 

[Guldgrävaren_98]

I have found a few cannonballs just like that here in Sweden... Nice find!

 

[ekeisler]

I don't know, it certainly looks similar to the grapeshot ball I found but I PMed TheCannonballGuy for you. Here is what mine looks like.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I don't know, it certainly looks similar to the grapeshot ball I found but I PMed TheCannonballGuy for you. Here is what mine looks like. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=917153"/>

Yeah it could be either im thinking. I'm surprised he hasn't said anything yet. To the OP- What state are you in? That would help also!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

SCDigginWithAK, the reason I hadn't said anything yet is, I do not read the Today's Finds forum every day, because very few posters ask for a relic-ID in it. I spend almost all my time here at TreasureNet in the What-Is-It forum, where my services are most often needed. So, if you see something that needs an ID in Today's Finds, please send me a PM heads-up about it, like Ekeisler did abut this iron ball. Also, please be sure to tell me the name the post it's in.

Cdism, I co-wrote an Educational article which gives detailed information and instructions for how to tell an actual Artillery ball (cannonballs, Grapeshot balls, and Canister balls) from one of the many varieties of Civilian-usage (non-artillery) metal balls. Please read it and follow the instructions in it. SolidShotEssentialsMod

Some examples of the Civilian-usage metal balls are:
"Mill-balls" from the Mining-&-Stonemilling Industry,
"Ornamental Ironwork" balls (such as a gatepost-top),
pump check-valve balls,
ball-bearings (some are quite large),
machinery counterweight balls,
cement-delivery tank "cleaner" balls
Sports Shot Put balls.

As the article instructs (with photos), please measure the ball with a Digital Caliper, which will tell you the ball's diameter in hundredths-of-an-inch. Next, weigh the ball on a precision Postal Shipping scale, which measures in pounds AND ounces. Then, compare the ball's precisely-measured diameter and weight with the data in the charts from the US (and CSA) Ordnance Manual, to see if your solid (not hollow) ball matches any of the balls in the Manual's data. You can view it online, for free, at: www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

Meanwhile... I can tell you that the nearest Artillery ball match-up with the estimated diameter and weight you reported is a 12-Pounder caliber Grapeshot ball or a 32-pounder caliber Canister ball (for both of those, the specified diameter is 2.03-to-2.05-inches, weight 1 pound 2 ounces). When you've precisely measured your ball, let us know if it matches that size and weight.

A caution-note:
If the ball is the correct diameter but is more than one ounce heavier than 1 pound 2 ounces, it is a steel ball -- which excludes it from being an Artillery ball, because there were no steel Grapeshot balls or Canister balls.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

SCDigginWithAK, the reason I hadn't said anything yet is, I do not read the Today's Finds forum every day, because very few posters ask for a relic-ID in it. I spend almost all my time here at TreasureNet in the What-Is-It forum, where my services are most often needed. So, if you see something that needs an ID in Today's Finds, please send me a PM heads-up about it, like Ekeisler did abut this iron ball. Also, please be sure to tell me the name the post it's in. Cdism, I co-wrote an Educational article which gives details information and instructions for how to tell an actual Artillery ball (cannonballs, Grapeshot balls, and Canister balls) from one of the many varieties of Civilian-usage (non-artillery) metal balls. Please read it and follow the instructions in it. SolidShotEssentialsMod Some examples of the Civilian-usage metal balls are: "Mill-balls" from the Mining-&-Stonemilling Industry, "Ornamental Ironwork" balls (such as a gatepost-top), pump check-valve balls, ball-bearings (some are quite large), machinery counterweight balls, cement-delivery tank "cleaner" balls Sports Shot Put balls. As the article instructs (with photos), please measure the ball with a Digital Caliper, which will tell you the ball's diamter in hundredths-of-an-inch. Next, weigh the ball on a precision Postal Shipping scale, which measures in pounds AND ounces. Then, compare the ball's precisely-measured diameter and weight with the data in the charts from the US (and CSA) Ordnance Manual, to see if your "solid" (not hollow) ball matches any of the balls in the Manual's data. You can view it online, for free, at: www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm Meanwhile... I can tell you that the nearest Artillery ball match-up with the estimated diameter and weight you reported is a 12-Pounder caliber Grapeshot ball or a 32-pounder caliber Canister ball (for both of those, the specified diameter is 2.03-to-2.05-inches, weight 1 pound 2 ounces). When you've precisely measured your ball, let us know if it matches that size and weight. A caution-note: If the ball is the correct diameter but is more than one ounce heavier than 1 pound 2 ounces, it is a steel ball -- which excludes it from being an Artillery ball, because there were no steel Grapeshot balls or Canister balls.

Oh wow sorry! I didn't realize this was today's finds. I kept switching between each. I thought It was What Is It so I was confused haha. Have a Merry Christmas TheCannonballGuy, ekeisler, And all others on the thread. Once again sorry! Lol