Cannon Ball ? Found today with button.

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

This 20lb ball of iron was found by a friend of mine that I recently talked into buing an ACE 250. His very first target dug today!
Is it a cannon ball? Appears to be solid.... I have not cleaned it in anyway so far. Feedback is much needed.

The button was found by me at the same spot. Not sure if much info is available here other than its old....
Here are some pics. VPR

 

[Old River]

Great finds. I don't know much about cannon balls, but I'm sure someone the net does. Congradulations.

 

[Johnny Ringo Silver]

Not quite sure about the cannon ball......dont know what else it could be though!!! I love the button for sure. 8)

 

[JRich98150]

NICE !!! IF I found those items I would consider the ball a "cannonball" until someone proved otherwise to me. And I'd probably be pretty pumped up!! Check into the local history of the area where you found it. There are tons of other metal and iron balls that were made that are not cannonballs though so it could possibly not be one. Again a check of the local area history might help sway the question one way or the other.
I've got two 12 pound shot putts sitting around my front yard. I know they are not cannonballs but if my visitors ain't asking I ain't telling. I found a nice piece of cast iron pipe yesterday and as I first started digging it or any other large piece of iron I can keep wishing until I get my dreams dashed and see that the item is a large iron pipe. This is why we all love detecting. You never know what you might find or where you might find it.
The photos look exciting enough for any military relic collector. I hope you have stumbled onto a great spot!
Congratulations !!!

I'd be careful with the ball unless I was sure it was solid. I guess since I didn't find it and I might not get possession of it I'd let the other fellow do the cleaning LOL. Look it over carefully and check to see it there might be any plug or fuse in the ball. Don't put it by the fireplace unless your sure it's solid and be careful with it.


JRich

 

[Derek752]

VermontPackRat ...

Gotta be a cannonball .... clean it and look for markings , If its British it may have a broad arrow and French a fleur-de-leis. I've seen cannonballs
dug up with both markings

Any battles fought nearby ?

Nice button too

GREAT finds !!

Derek

 

[Evolution]

I dont know much about cannonballs either but I'd like to see a closeup picture of that button. It looks like a dandy button of some sort.

 

[Iron Patch]

That's great! Those bad boys don't show up often.

 

[civilman1]

That is definetley not a shot put.....Solid Shot, has the size .Keep my eye's peeled on this one.....Another Sweet button from the NE....Let's hope for the best on the "Ball".....Sweet Dig's

 

[dex378]

Any mining in that area? I seem to remember an article about cannon ball like items they used in mining. Thats not to say its not a cannon ball, just another idea for an item that big.

 

[crazyjarhead]

Nice maiden find Great start

 

[Iron Patch]

Any mining in that area? I seem to remember an article about cannon ball like items they used in mining. Thats not to say its not a cannon ball, just another idea for an item that big.

I think that would be a wrecking ball before a mining ball.

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

Any mining in that area? I seem to remember an article about cannon ball like items they used in mining. Thats not to say its not a cannon ball, just another idea for an item that big.

There are some copper mines about 15 miles away. I have hunted there many times.
There is no history of any battles of any kind arround here that I am aware of....

Here are some cleaned up pics of the button.

 

[dex378]

an olympic shot put is 7.26 kg

 

[Iron Patch]

Any mining in that area? I seem to remember an article about cannon ball like items they used in mining. Thats not to say its not a cannon ball, just another idea for an item that big.

There are some copper mines about 15 miles away. I have hunted there many times.
There is no history of any battles of any kind arround here that I am aware of....

Here are some cleaned up pics of the button.

I have several cannonballs none or which were found in the context of a battle site, or mining, neither really happened here. All old home site finds.

 

[Iron Patch]

Any mining in that area? I seem to remember an article about cannon ball like items they used in mining. Thats not to say its not a cannon ball, just another idea for an item that big.

There are some copper mines about 15 miles away. I have hunted there many times.
There is no history of any battles of any kind arround here that I am aware of....

Here are some cleaned up pics of the button.

I have several cannonballs none or which were found in the context of a battle site, or mining, neither really happened here. All old home site finds.

In light of this new evidence, I move that we officially change the nomenclature of the above artifact type to " old home site balls".

OHSBVT ... That's where the balls will be...

 

[BuckleBoy]

Nice Dandy Button there... And I hope the Old Homesite Ball is an Old Military Ball.

 

[ModernMiner]

Two fantastic finds Guys!!! Way to go.
-MM-

 

[pjroo33]

I'm eagerly anticipating the results on this one. What a find that would be if it can be positively identified as a cannon ball. Hope you find some markings. Keep us posted!

 

[jimbob450]

Lol, I just turned on my computor @ couldnt
belive somebody found a cannonball with a
button. Very interesting finds though.Keep
cheching out the area. Jimbob

 

[kwdstalker]

in the old gold ore smelters they used big round metal balls where the ore is smashed into smaller piece's they might have done the same for copper