Small artillery shell question.

[Atticis]

So about a year and a half ago I found this small shell I a field. Can't get a solid ID on it but that's not my concern. I had figured it was solid shot because I couldn't find a fuse but there was this sorta bump on the base and when I originallyposted it someone messagedme that they had found one that looked exactly like mine not 5 or so miles away from where i had found this one. That one was solid shot. Anyway I finally get an electrolysis setup going and decide to drill the bottom to set a screw to get better conductivity. As I'm drilling I encounter almost no resistance and immediately stop. Someone please tell me it's not a super small iron fused explosive round haha. It measures almost exactly 2" in diameter.

 

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[Blackfoot58]

You should probably consult your insurance agent before any further drilling. 😂

 

[Atticis]

You should probably consult your insurance agent before any further drilling. 😂

Hahaha that was my thoughts

 

[Blackfoot58]

Hahaha that was my thoughts

At the least apply for a fireworks permit. 🧨

 

[Fredneck]

Looks like a solid bolt, though smart to be cautious because some artillery shells have an iron anvil cap that can be hidden by rust. This anvil cap percussion fuse would ignite explosion on impact. I see no signs of an anvil cap in your pics, but this is where you should be inspecting.

 

[Atticis]

Looks like a solid bolt, though smart to be cautious because some artillery shells have an iron anvil cap that can be hidden by rust. This anvil cap percussion fuse would ignite explosion on impact. I see no signs of an anvil cap in your pics, but this is where you should be inspecting.

Right. I had never seen one with any in the base so I originally thought it was a bolt but like I said when I drilled the base it was like a rusted over hole so I began to question everything I thought I knew 😆

Just figured I'd err on the side of caution and ask around a bit more before I went ahead with the electrolysis and hot wax

 

[Fredneck]

Maybe TheCannonballGuy will see this post or pm him, he might be able to ID

 

[Atticis]

After electrolysis and hot wax if anyone was curious how it ended up. The cavity I the base was filled with what looked like rusted clay and it's concave. Kinda odd to me but I didn't lose any appendages so 👍

 

[devldog]

Atticis, let me first start by saying that I am by no means an authority on Civil War Artillery. This would be the Cannonballguy. I do have a book entitled Civil War Projectiles II (Small Arms & Field Artillery) with supplement by W. Reid McKee & M.E. Mason, Jr. Going by the pic's you posted, I believe you may have found a CSA Archer bolt. I have posted a few pic.'s to give you an idea. Page 10 ITEM C' gives a description of the CSA Archer Bolt. Page 11 shows the bolt again, ITEM C'. What do you think? Maybe the Cannonball guy will chime in soon and nail the I'D for sure. I hope this helps out in the meantime. Congrat's on your Save.

 

[devldog]

I meant to add, great job on the restoration.

 

[Atticis]

I meant to add, great job on the restoration.

Thanks! Looks to be too small for an archer but I'm even less knowledgeable on the subject haha. It does point me in another direction to look for an ID though!

 

[devldog]

Thanks! Looks to be too small for an archer but I'm even less knowledgeable on the subject haha. It does point me in another direction to look for an ID though!

Did you read the dimensions on page 10? I could be way off, but this was the closest to what I could find in the book. Waiting on the Cannonballguy. 😃

 

[Atticis]

Did you read the dimensions on page 10? I could be way off, but this was the closest to what I could find in the book. Waiting on the Cannonballguy. 😃

I did. This one is just shy of 2" diameter. Really stumping me but bringing to my attention some really interesting smaller caliber guns.