Possible Civil War Hand Grenade

[Keith S]

A friend of mine recently found this ball within feet of 2 other 6 pdrs and a 12 pdr. The "fuze hole" in this one is unusually small, about 12mm. My thoughts were that it was a grenade rather than an artillery shell. It's fairly graphitized so the weight is probably meaningless but it's coming in around 2.8 lbs. The graphitization has also affected it's shape a bit. It is very soft.


Thanks,
Keith

 

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[A2coins]

Wow that would be a freakin cool find I Plus those other relics I've always wanted a cannonball Hope you get an ID. Tommy

 

[Wildcat1750]

Cool find! I'll be following this to see if someone can ID it...

 

[Kray Gelder]

I found a few images, and they are all around 3" diameter. They do look just like yours.

 

[JoshW]

There was a Selma hand grenade in the Civil War that looked like that. Where was it found? What is the diameter? Is the fuse hole threaded or smooth?

 

[JoshW]

And I forgot to say. Awesome find!

 

[peruna]

The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch...has been found!

or perhaps a really cool Civil War one...either way, nicely done!

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch! Anyway, that phrase sure dates us! It is also possible it is from the Revolution. They were much more popular than in the Civil War. Just a thought.

 

[dansalata]

wow..interesting fer sho

 

[JoshW]

I looked up the Selma Grenade in the Dickey and George Artillery book. It had a diameter of 2.5 inches.

 

[devldog]

That is one cool find. I'll be following this. Was this found close to any entrenchments? Keep us informed on this if you will. Congrat's on a nice piece of History.

 

[RVRoamer73]

Cool find. Definitely a nice save. Congrats!

 

[Castineman1779]

A friend of mine recently found this ball within feet of 2 other 6 pdrs and a 12 pdr. The "fuze hole" in this one is unusually small, about 12mm. My thoughts were that it was a grenade rather than an artillery shell. It's fairly graphitized so the weight is probably meaningless but it's coming in around 2.8 lbs. The graphitization has also affected it's shape a bit. It is very soft.


Thanks,
Keith View attachment 1762225

Keith S. Let me weigh in , pun indeed on the weight of this ball , with an opinion. First it would be nice to know where your friend found the 2 -6 and one 12 pounder to figure out the period of this ordnance. 2nd I do not know what "grapitized " means unless it may weigh more if found in certain ground or less. Also it should be made of iron and no weight loss from being buried. Why it is soft is also a good question as it should be solid iron . No seam lines present as seen on r Rev WAr types. The width of 3 inches is correct for a hand grenade but at almost 3 pounds way to heavy for a man to throw a good distance. Also the walls of hand grenade are maybe 3/8th to a half inch thick at best so measure yours will tell the tale if one or not. If 3/4 to an inch then it is a small mortar ball. Can u put up picks of the 3 cannon balls to ID period? My opinion only and will leave u with another pun and that being it indeed is an odd ball. Gary

 

[Worm-Slicer]

Keith S. Let me weigh in , pun indeed on the weight of this ball , with an opinion. First it would be nice to know where your friend found the 2 -6 and one 12 pounder to figure out the period of this ordnance. 2nd I do not know what "grapitized " means unless it may weigh more if found in certain ground or less. Also it should be made of iron and no weight loss from being buried. Why it is soft is also a good question as it should be solid iron . No seam lines present as seen on r Rev WAr types. The width of 3 inches is correct for a hand grenade but at almost 3 pounds way to heavy for a man to throw a good distance. Also the walls of hand grenade are maybe 3/8th to a half inch thick at best so measure yours will tell the tale if one or not. If 3/4 to an inch then it is a small mortar ball. Can u put up picks of the 3 cannon balls to ID period? My opinion only and will leave u with another pun and that being it indeed is an odd ball. Gary

Just wanted to let you know that graphitization is the soft black part where the metal has transformed into carbon.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very interesting find, congrats!

 

[Possum]

Cool find!!! "D"