NOX first hunt - French 4 PDR Cannonball

Patriot Relics

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Feb 6, 2014
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Hey guys,

While I love my Deus inland and my trusty CTX on the coast, I decided to drink the koolaid and pick up the equinox 800. Definitely need a few more hours before replacing the CTX as my water machine, but I can honestly say I never would have dug this killer relics without the NOX...reason being the NOX hits a solid 15 on deep iron that I would have certainly walked over with the CTX's unmistakable target ID. So full disclosure...digging this sucker was a fluke :laughing7:. I'm sure after a while I'll be able to hear out the deep iron, but I'm thrilled with this one for sure. The first target with the new machine

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I've been developing the history on this site for some time. Nearly 3 years of hitting the same dirt has painted the picture of a continental picket post or lookout. The first targets were modest, but promising...assorted .69/.75 caliber round balls

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After a few years of persistence the buttons starting showing up...first 3 blank/polished down American made pewters...then a French made lottery coat button...and finally my first USA.

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This is the part of the hobby that I love, reconstructing the history of a site that has never been documented. Happy to say that after lots of iron restoration over the years I was prepared to save this cannonball. Tannic acid in the low country swamps has a way of destroying these solid iron pieces if not cared for perfectly. Took a few days in the electrolysis tank, followed by an acetone bath/3 hours baking at 350 degrees to purge the water. While the iron was hot, I sealed it with a combination of breewax and microcrystalline wax.

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The ball has a diameter of 3.16 and weighs in slightly over 4lbs. Here's a look at a French 4PDR field cannon in the Armed Forces History, National Museum of American History. This field cannon was characterized by a high degree of mobility on the battlefield. The two large wheels attached to a carriage which allowed commanders to position the gun in the field. The trajectory of a field cannon is flat -- essentially, the cannon fires in the direction it is pointed.

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That about covers it- from musket balls to a cannonball, can't wait to see what that dirt turns up next. Thanks for looking and good luck out there.

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Upvote 32

smokeythecat

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Good job. With either my Cibola or Deus I do not discriminate out larger iron. Dug three cannonballs that way this year. You are doing it right.
 

OP
OP
Patriot Relics

Patriot Relics

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Good job. With either my Cibola or Deus I do not discriminate out larger iron. Dug three cannonballs that way this year. You are doing it right.

Thanks smokey, I run wide open on all my machines but do occasionally walk over deep iron...not anymore.
 

RiverRat3

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A cannonball is on my bucket list. Awesome finds. I’m sure that site had many more.
 

dirtlooter

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very cool, love history and that is history! good job on cleaning and sealing the iron.
 

Stef45

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Great finds but better restoration/preservation! Time for some silver...feel like im due for just about anything but silver we are all due for.
 

Oct 5, 2014
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Excellent hunt...thank you for sharing! :occasion14:
 

Ia.FurTrade

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Keep at it! You're going to end up with a nice Rev collection from there!!
Love the 4 pounder!

Iowa Dale
 

smokeythecat

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When I find large iron near salt water, I first knock what rust I can off with a tack hammer, then let the item sit in water, which is changed weekly for sometimes a couple months until the salt leaches out. An aquarium hydrometer will tell when the salt is gone. Otherwise, in 10 years you'll have a pile of rust.
 

Valley Ranger

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Great relics. Great research and history.
 

OP
OP
Patriot Relics

Patriot Relics

Silver Member
Feb 6, 2014
3,708
5,565
Lowcountry, South Carolina / Richmond, Virginia
🥇 Banner finds
5
Detector(s) used
CTX-3030, Deus XP II
Primary Interest:
Relic Hunting
When I find large iron near salt water, I first knock what rust I can off with a tack hammer, then let the item sit in water, which is changed weekly for sometimes a couple months until the salt leaches out. An aquarium hydrometer will tell when the salt is gone. Otherwise, in 10 years you'll have a pile of rust.

Hadn't thought of allowing it to leech out like that over time in distilled water. I did notice by baking the iron for a few hours the saltwater escapes and leave white concentrations. I know it's dehydrated, but likely still salt traces inside.
 

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