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

 

[MrBling]

I'd have that ball examined by an expert
Don't hit it with a hammer!
And that button looks OLD

 

[IAsoldier]

Very nice and be careful.

 

[incajoe]

The key to figuring out if this is a cannonball or not is to get an exact size measurement and the weight. Since cannons have used set bore sizes the ball may be identified by this method. Good luck!

 

[rmptr]

Probably a good place to start would be to set it in a bucket of water to clean it off.

After a week submerged maybe you could make more decisions about it...

Just don't go bangin' away at it!

Best,
rmptr

 

[dcinffxva]

Any cannon ball that contained an explosive charge would have a hole in it where the fuse would go. The ones that people should be concerned about will either have a fuse, or a plug in the hole. If you don't have any indication of where a fuse could go, it would be a solid shot, and harmless.

Soaking a fused explosive round in water is absolutely not a guarantee that it will be safe.

If it has a fuse or plug in it, get in touch with Harry Ridgeway (relicman) and see if he knows anyone local to you that can disarm it safely. Don't call the local authorities for advice, because their response will be to destroy it.

And don't try it yourself.....a very experienced guy got killed in February by one that had a flaw inside.

 

[rmptr]

Thanks for adding that with emphasis DCin...

Soaking most likely won't do anything but loosen up some of the dirt on it.
Better than scraping and chiseling away, by far! and a LOT less dangerous.
Heck! I wouldn't allow it to roll in the trunk of my car!

Time probably won't hurt it...
This is a perfect example of when it's good to get help from someone experienced.

Best
rmptr

 

[ClonedSIM]

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

Heeheehee! Don't worry, jimbob, I found the humor here.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Yes, it looks like an old 12 pounder. Is there a fuze anywhere on it? If not, that it probably is a solid shot 12 pounder, more than likely Civil War as excepting coastal and heavy artillery from the Revolutionary Era, they didn't use balls this heavy before the Civil War. Very nice find!!!!

 

[RELICDUDE07]

The lower tier of 17th-century English ships of the line were usually equipped with demi-cannon, guns that fired a 32 pounds (15 kg) solid shot, and could weigh up to 3,400 pounds (1,500 kg).[58] Demi-cannon were capable of firing these heavy metal balls with such force, that they could penetrate more than a meter of solid oak, from a distance of 90 m (300 ft), and could dismast even the largest ships at close range.[59] Full cannon fired a 42 lb (19 kg) shot, but were discontinued by the 18th century, as they were too unwieldy. By the end of the century, principles long adopted in Europe specified the characteristics of the Royal Navy's cannon.. They have been useing large cannon balls for a long time.....

 

[{Sentinel}]

The lower tier of 17th-century English ships of the line were usually equipped with demi-cannon, guns that fired a 32 pounds (15 kg) solid shot, and could weigh up to 3,400 pounds (1,500 kg).[58] Demi-cannon were capable of firing these heavy metal balls with such force, that they could penetrate more than a meter of solid oak, from a distance of 90 m (300 ft), and could dismast even the largest ships at close range.[59] Full cannon fired a 42 lb (19 kg) shot, but were discontinued by the 18th century, as they were too unwieldy. By the end of the century, principles long adopted in Europe specified the characteristics of the Royal Navy's cannon.. They have been useing large cannon balls for a long time.....

Indeed, that was why I referenced the "other than coastal and (sea) fortifications and Heavy Artillery" above What I should have said, is that they (12 Pounders) weren't used frequently and even to a much lesser degree for general land engagements, before the Civil War . We know that they were used in the Revolutionary and all the European Wars but 12 pound balls of that type are abit smaller than the types that were used for those purposes. However, when we look at the American Civil War, in the first couple years of the war they used alot of 6 pounders but quickly found that they were inadequate in both range and damage caused. By the middle of the war, you rarely saw 6 pounders except some on the Southern side and saw a exponential increase in the use of the 12 pounder. The 12 pound case and solid shot became the workhorse of artillery for the cannon and howitzer and the standard, used during this struggle...along with Parrotts, Whitworths, Dyers, and a few other lessers.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

I got ya,you mean in the field cannon.It could be older then civil war Where he found it

 

[{Sentinel}]

I got ya,you mean in the field cannon.It could be older then civil war Where he found it

Indeed, I totally agree with you in reference to larger artillery previous the Civil War when it comes to Sea and Coastal warfare. As for where he found it, it could be one of those such earlier balls, however, the size and weight looking to be 12 pounds, would suggest production in the Civil War. I agree, being in Vermont, if this was the case it was probably a iron foundry that was turning out artillery for the War as we know there were no Civil War engagements that far North

 

[dex378]

Ok, but you guys keep referring to a 12lb ball..... he stated it weighed 20lbs..........

 

[{Sentinel}]

Ok, but you guys keep referring to a 12lb ball..... he stated it weighed 20lbs..........

Indeed he does, that totally changes the game! I missed that :P If that is indeed the real weighed weight than, RelicDude, it is a possibility of it being one of those Coastal and/or Sea Cannon artillery pieces that we were speaking about. There is still a chance for it being heavy artillery too from the Civil War. Thanks dex for pointing that out For some reason my mind saw "12" not "20"....

 

[RELICDUDE07]

This maybe why hes finding cannon balls,this is very close by............ http://members.tripod.com/~FortTic/Fort.html

 

[Iron Patch]

Guys, there ain't no mystery to finding cannonballs at early sites, they just turn up now and again. I have found several that were in areas that wasn't a fort, battle site, or had a cannon anywhere close. I believe the main use was a source of heat, throw one of those suckers on the fire and it would keep you warm at night. All mine are from sites that would date well before the civil War, have never dug one from a mid. 1800s site.

 

[RELICDUDE07]

I just thought i would post this to help the guy out,he didnt think much had happend there..I know what you mean,we find the big ship shot balls miles inland ,way out of the firing range,i guess people just like to roll them around down south

 

[{Sentinel}]

I just thought i would post this to help the guy out,he didnt think much had happend there..I know what you mean,we find the big ship shot balls miles inland ,way out of the firing range,i guess people just like to roll them around down south

LOL, its a fine cannonball never the less whether its an early one or a Civil War era!

 

[{Sentinel}]

Guys, there ain't no mystery to finding cannonballs at early sites, they just turn up now and again. I have found several that were in areas that wasn't a fort, battle site, or had a cannon anywhere close. I believe the main use was a source of heat, throw one of those suckers on the fire and it would keep you warm at night. All mine are from sites that would date well before the civil War, have never dug one from a mid. 1800s site.

Indeed you are right Iron Patch! Shoot, it is just a nice cannonball period, whether its an earlier one or a Civil War era one and a real treat to see one come out of the ground!

 

[RELICDUDE07]

He said no battles or anything took place that he is aware of.... 16000 british troops close by,just helping a hunter out..