Calling Cannonball Guy

[Valley Ranger]

CBG - pulled this out of the ground at about 10" recently. It's solid iron. Could this be the base (or part of one) of an artillery shell? Lots of CW fighting in the area I dug this. And I've dug some Hotchkiss frags close by. Thanks in advance for taking a look.

 

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[parsonwalker]

I sure ain't CB guy . . . but that sure looks exactly like the end of a hotchkiss "cup" to me . . .

 

[parsonwalker]

Pretty much a perfect match . . .

 

[Valley Ranger]

Pretty much a perfect match . . .

View attachment 1072093

Yes, very similar - thanks!

 

[Valley Ranger]

I sure ain't CB guy . . . but that sure looks exactly like the end of a hotchkiss "cup" to me . . .

You could be his apprentice.

 

[parsonwalker]

You could be his apprentice.

Ha! I'll take that as the ultimate relic hunter compliment!

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

My "apprentice" Parsonwalker got it right... it is definitely a civil war period 3"-caliber Hotchkiss shell's basecup whose sidewalls got blasted off. To visualize what I'm talking about, remove the vertical sidewalls from the (complete) basecup at the bottom of the photo below, which shows a sawed-in-half 3"-caliber Hotchkiss Case-Shot shell.

In your photo showing the basecup's bottom, there appears to be a notch-out at 8 o'clock, which would be what's left of one of the shell's three flamegrooves. The Bolt (Solid-Shot) version did not need flamegrooves, of course, so your basecup fragment is definitely from an explosive shell, not a Bolt.

 

[parsonwalker]

Shoot, if HE'S calling me his apprentice too, I might just have to change my moniker on here. Since CB Guy is the source of so much knowledge, I'm thinking about:

The "Source-erer's" Apprentice

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

LOL! That's an absolutely brilliant response, Parsonwalker. You're officially adopted as an Apprentice.

I should mention... Parsonwalker and I have a real-life connection. Here's a clue. <><

Actually, guys (and gals), I've been trying to educate some of you well enough that you can fill in for me after I "cross over the river." (I'm getting elderly, age 65.)

Isaiah 43:2

 

[Valley Ranger]

My "apprentice" Parsonwalker got it right... it is definitely a civil war period 3"-caliber Hotchkiss shell's basecup whose sidewalls got blasted off. To visualize what I'm talking about, remove the vertical sidewalls from the (complete) basecup at the bottom of the photo below, which shows a sawed-in-half 3"-caliber Hotchkiss Case-Shot shell.

In your photo showing the basecup's bottom, there appears to be a notch-out at 8 o'clock, which would be what's left of one of the shell's three flamegrooves. The Bolt (Solid-Shot) version did not need flamegrooves, of course, so your basecup fragment is definitely from an explosive shell, not a Bolt.

CBG - Thank you so much. My initial guess in the field was shell base, but when doing my initial comparisons on the internet, I wasn't sure the piece was "deep" enough. Your note that the sidewalls got "blasted off" explains that. And yes, that does appear to be a groove. The piece is currently going through a cleaning process. I'll show updated photos once it's complete. Thanks again!

 

[Valley Ranger]

LOL! That's an absolutely brilliant response, Parsonwalker. You're officially adopted as an Apprentice.

I should mention... Parsonwalker and I have a real-life connection. Here's a clue. <><

Actually, guys (and gals), I've been trying to educate some of you well enough that you can fill in for me after I "cross over the river."

Isaiah 43:2

And I would like to remembered as the one who nominated him as your apprentice.

 

[I-DIG-IT]

Nice digs.

 

[WheatWaffle]

Nice find!

 

[Ahab8]

LOL! That's an absolutely brilliant response, Parsonwalker. You're officially adopted as an Apprentice. I should mention... Parsonwalker and I have a real-life connection. Here's a clue. <>< Actually, guys (and gals), I've been trying to educate some of you well enough that you can fill in for me after I "cross over the river." (I'm getting elderly, age 65.) Isaiah 43:2

CBG we need you my friend! 65....you're just a pup. You may have 50 years left in you. We all hope so and sincerely appreciate all of the help you've given us all

 

[Valley Ranger]

CBG we need you my friend! 65....you're just a pup. You may have 50 years left in you. We all hope so and sincerely appreciate all of the help you've given us all

Ahab8 - you are so right! CBG is always happy to offer his expert opinion and I do appreciate it so much. 65 is the new 45.

 

[CSA2K]

LOL! That's an absolutely brilliant response, Parsonwalker. You're officially adopted as an Apprentice.

I should mention... Parsonwalker and I have a real-life connection. Here's a clue. <><

Actually, guys (and gals), I've been trying to educate some of you well enough that you can fill in for me after I "cross over the river." (I'm getting elderly, age 65.)

Isaiah 43:2

You're not crossing anything any time soon!

csa2k 10:29