Brass (Cannon??) Ball

cambria09 · May 5, 2019

Hello All. I dug this at a 1880's to 1930 farm home site here in Central FL. It is solid brass and ~1-3/8 inch in diameter.

Could it be a small cannon ball? LMK what you think and thanks for the view. Good Luck out there. C9

Gene Mean · May 5, 2019

Great find! Post the weight of it also.

Charlie P. (NY) · May 5, 2019

Doubtful it was a cannon ball. More likely a centrifugal governor ball.

Is there a spot where a rod may have attached to it?

238103d1537145211-small-chas-strelinger-steam-governor-finished-100_4739.jpg

Deftone · May 5, 2019

I've collected a few about that size over the years. I'd have to find em to get measurements. Some were bigger than others. Digging can slaw is more fun than replacing leathers and a broken check valve for a windmill. Aermotor Windmill - How a windmill's cylinder pump works

Icewing · May 6, 2019

Definitely not a cannonball, as there were no brass cannonballs.
I went through this same discussion when I first started digging and found one.

The most likely candidates are as mentioned above a check valve ball, or a milling ball where brass balls are needed to prevent sparks.

A2coins · May 6, 2019

I was going to say a brass cannonball never heard of one

RustyRelics · May 6, 2019

It is most certainly not a cannon ball. With all the iron we have, why in heavens would they shoot brass!? I don't know what the heck it is though.

cambria09 · May 6, 2019

Hello CP (NY). Yep there is a spot that looks like an attachment post and your picture is spot on...I gotta say you are correct...nice one!!

I would not have thought it was an internal combustion component.

Thanks for the info and reply. Good Luck out there. C9

Icewing · May 6, 2019

Good call Charlie

Deftone · May 6, 2019

Just curious. Could you post some more pic's of it scrubbed up a bit? Just wanna know if it's ball's to the wall material. :hello:

Tony in SC · May 7, 2019

Check ball for a large pump.

TXRandy · May 18, 2019

There were most certainly brass cannonballs. They were used by the Mexican armies against the Texans. They have been found at San Jacinto, Goliad, The Alamo and other places the Mexicans had conflicts with the Texans. I wouldn't be surprised if the Spanish used them on their ships but I don't know.