65 pound cannonball...a first!

[mk4125]

So I ventured out after work and headed to one of my newer permissions (80 acres vacant land overlooking Sturgeon Bay of Lake Michigan). I have found a lot of fur trade items in this area along with a handful of War of 1812 finds... military buttons mostly. I decided to search the bottom of the bluff and within minutes located a loud mid-range signal under the roots of a leaning tree (pulling it up from the ground with it roots). I realized in the first few minutes that it was big and round. It took close to 2 hours to get this damn thing out from the trees grip... another 30 minutes to lug this thing to my SUV.

I posted an hour or so ago in the 'What is it' section but since then a local friend swung by and confirmed what I was hoping. This is a 65 lb, 7.88" diameter cannonball...not sure I can ever top this.

 

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[Trezurehunter]

Thats a little bigger than the fired .45 caliber bullets I'm use to finding ! Great find.

 

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[scruggs]

That's one SPECTACULAR Find!!!!

 

[peruna]

Well, the digging and recovery must have kinda sucked, but the adventure is something you will remember for the rest of your days....great "conversation piece"!

 

[mk4125]

I heaved it on down to a local guy that has a machine shop. He happily measured from multiple angles and all came back as 7.87" diameter (when measuring rusted side to rusted side). The top side (as it was resting in the sand) measured at 7.88". He put on one of his scales and it weighs exactly 64.982 pounds.

 

[CHIPEOD]

If you would like to verify that it is safe, your local PD should have contact information for EOD support. After a solid X-RAY we can determine if it is safe... if it is not safe we can more than likely hit it with a M21 shape charge that will burn out the powder inside with minimal effects on the exterior


You don't want to handle this the wrong way and end up like this

 

[Phishfindr]

Great ball of fire! Nice find! Congrats!

 

[mk4125]

Dannng. That would suck.

If you would like to verify that it is safe, your local PD should have contact information for EOD support. After a solid X-RAY we can determine if it is safe... if it is not safe we can more than likely hit it with a M21 shape charge that will burn out the powder inside with minimal effects on the exterior View attachment 1498565View attachment 1498566View attachment 1498567


You don't want to handle this the wrong way and end up like this View attachment 1498569View attachment 1498570

 

[peruna]

Hard to imagine that you could be the last casualty in the War Between The States.

 

[mk4125]

Well you can all go out the quiet way...if this is the way I am going out I think its gonna be EPIC! It will be a metal detectionists greatest moment...assuming they can find all my pieces of course.

Hard to imagine that you could be the last casualty in the War Between The States.

 

[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

Congrats that's a crazy awesome find and a fun story. It will look great cleaned up.

 

[RustyGold]

Wow, outstanding find. Congratulations! I wouldn't of left it to get a saw as well.

 

[Relicific]

That's a monster of a find.
Congrats

 

[Z.K.]

That is so dang awesome!

 

[Joe hunter]

I'm actually considering buying a cannon ball I want one so bad .Congratulations on an amazing find.

 

[smokeythecat]

Whatzamatta u? It's a BANNER find. Nobody finds these.

 

[Escape]

Congratulations on a fantastic find. Now get out there and find another one so you can have a nice set of ....s! Never mind. But I wouldn’t be surprised if you find another one.

 

[Centsless Detecting]

WOW! AMAZAING!
Sturgeon Bay WI or MI? Didnt know there was another.
Anyways thats CRAYCRAY!
COINgrats!

 

[alabama11]

Outstanding, but No smoking.

 

[Davers]

I think you have 'Common Sense' enough to know that it's Solid.

Awesome Find , you think Civil War or Earlier.

There may not have been Solid ball's of that Dia, Weight in say 1812 . IDK

Looking back at The cannon Ball guys Post ; he Quoted the 1861 Shot Table so Civil War Era. It is.

Just for conversation , I think about a year ago they found a Civil War Ball , Explosive I would suspect at an Atlanta Construction site , they Closed the site & all nearby Road's call the EOD & BOOM Bye , Bye History.

Also seems I missed a-lot while I was out all day (no smart Phone), glad it all turned out in your favor. Cutting thick roots with the Shovel must have been a Witch.

Hurts my hands & Arm thinking about it. I need to sharpen all mt diggers.
GN & GL.

 

[Davers]

If you would like to verify that it is safe, your local PD should have contact information for EOD support. After a solid X-RAY we can determine if it is safe... if it is not safe we can more than likely hit it with a M21 shape charge that will burn out the powder inside with minimal effects on the exterior View attachment 1498565View attachment 1498566View attachment 1498567


You don't want to handle this the wrong way and end up like this View attachment 1498569View attachment 1498570

I'd love to know the 'back story' on all them Cannon Ball's , That Beech Nut is harsh these days.

Seriously I hope the fellow or to be P.C. Girl / Man,Girl, was alive after that blast.