Before/After CSA Cannonball

outtair · Jan 9, 2009

This is the before and after of this 6" 24 lb CSA Cannonball I found Thanksgiving Week. I have used electrolysis, cleaning, baking and coating since then to get to this condition. I think she is ready to display.
I have been hunting since but no big finds like this, I hope there are a few more of these big guys left.

outtair · Jan 9, 2009

---Because there is a fuse where the hole is you have to remove the wooden fuse without causing a spark to get to the black powder inside the cannonball. That is why I use a fiberglass rod, no spark. Once you have an opening big enough you wash out all the black powder. Because it has been almost 150 years it cakes up. This black powder is very active and will ignite if dry. The most dangerous thing is getting to the powder cavity, I have only done wooden fuses. Metal fuses that cannot be unscrewed have to be drilled, and I am not that brave to try one yet.

rjw4law · Jan 9, 2009

You learn something every day....I never knew you could clean those things!

baspinall · Jan 9, 2009

That's wild! Thanks for the explanation. I work with metal, the friction that is created during drilling is high. Don't think I'd be drilling a metal fuse either.

Stay safe - Brian

VOL1266-X · Jan 10, 2009

Super Job-looks professional. That's a piece of history with a brand new warranty!!! Good luck on finding more.

MalteseFalcon · Jan 10, 2009

Wow! Absolutely amazing! Not just the find, but way to go on the restoration! That is a job worthy of any museum!

outtair · Jan 10, 2009

I do all the restorations when she is at work. The first time I baked a shell I did it in the oven, I did get a lecture on that one.... Now I do it outside. I got electrolysis buckets working in the garage now as long as she can park her car no problems.