Can It Be? Mexican American 5.5 Cannonball

[CarmelitePeg]

Hello all. First off, I am in La Mesa CA, about 20 miles from the Mexican border. A woman who lives on Mount Helix, had some work done in her yard. The landscapers found this gem. Solid, heavy, rusty and 11 inches round, 5.5 diameter what may be a cannon ball. I suspect Mexican American war period. Im not sure how to post a photo of this item. But I am looking for some input on this.

 

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[CarmelitePeg]

This is it

 

[CarmelitePeg]

This is it

 

[A2coins]

They will probably ask you to weigh it also. Hope it is that would be cool.

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet

 

[Red James Cash]

It may not be a mexican cannonball.Ive read that the mexicans used copper to make cannonballs.

 

[CarmelitePeg]

They will probably ask you to weigh it also. Hope it is that would be cool.

Thank you! Ill have to do that first thing in the am.

 

[CarmelitePeg]

Diameter is 3.5 inches.

Hello all. First off, I am in La Mesa CA, about 20 miles from the Mexican border. A woman who lives on Mount Helix, had some work done in her yard. The landscapers found this gem. Solid, heavy, rusty and 11 inches round, 5.5 diameter what may be a cannon ball. I suspect Mexican American war period. Im not sure how to post a photo of this item. But I am looking for some input on this.

Math errors
Diameter is 3.5 inches. 6 pounder

 

[Tom_in_CA]

It may not be a mexican cannonball.Ive read that the mexicans used copper to make cannonballs.

It is my understanding that earlier projectiles (mankiller grapeshot balls, cannonballs, etc...) were conductive metals (copper, brass). But later in-time, (Mexican war era? CW era?) that they were switching over to cheaper iron projectiles.

But in any event: the Mexican period of CA (mid 1820s till the 1847) saw very little military activity. In-so-far as skirmishes and military presence were concerned in CA. Mexico took very little care of CA, in-so-far as defending, garrisoning, etc... And the war for USA independence here was won with just a few running foot-battles, hardly any fatalities, and hardly any shots fired.

So my question would be: What was the significance, of the location it was found in, that would have any historical significance with the Mexican period in-so-far as any battles or military would go ?

 

[smokeythecat]

Earliest cannon balls were made of carved stone. Imagine how long that took. Then the started with cast iron. These were used all the way through the Civil War period.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Cool find!

Cannonball or large machinery ball bearing