Canon Ball Sizes - Please Comment

[Michigan Badger]

I've been unsuccessful at digging a genuine Civil War cannon ball. I'm sure others of you have found them and/or you know a lot about them.

What were the most common sized canon balls used by both the North & South?

What was the largest and smallest?

If you can, give the diameter as well as the weight of the ball.

Please share anything you have on canon balls.

M. Badger

 

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[Aufinder01]

Ok, I dont see to many canon balls. I've found a few Spainish canon balls around.

Cannons of the Civil war were measured by the pound of steel shot they fired. A 3" ball is about 6 pounds. Projectiles were all sizes, some of the biggest were from mortars up to 15 inches and seige guns which can get huge. Standard size? 6 pounds,12 pounds and 24 pounders were the ones. The Spainish would try balls in canons to get the balls for that gun only. Balls for one gun were not for the next.

Most times you'll find fragments of shells that were exploded. In the ground, and kind of deep you'll find unexploded rounds. Sometimes these still have the fuses intact.

The Civil War saw the transition to breech loading from muzzle loading guns. There are many types of projectiles that were used. Shrapnel shells,canister,ball, and the use of exploding balls.

Aufinder01

 

[ZumbroKid]

They even loaded them with door knobs and nails, when ammo was low.

 

[Jason in TN]

The bigger your balls the more they are worth. Sorry

 

[SomeGuy]

Lots of info here:

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/