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

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I will post another pic tonight after work. I am going to wire brush some of the crud off.

We are both excited to get back to this spot. The area is very hard to get to. 4WD with good ground clearance is a must.

Thanks for all the replies, VPR

 

[Iron Patch]

I will post another pic tonight after work. I am going to wire brush some of the crud off.

We are both excited to get back to this spot. The area is very hard to get to. 4WD with good ground clearance is a must.

Thanks for all the replies, VPR

Look for the iron! ... The small pieces this time, find the site!

 

[pjroo33]

I will post another pic tonight after work. I am going to wire brush some of the crud off.

We are both excited to get back to this spot. The area is very hard to get to. 4WD with good ground clearance is a must.

Thanks for all the replies, VPR

Can't wait to see the updated pics. Looks like you may have found a dream location to hunt. If it is so hard to get to, what made you think to hunt in that area? Just a hunch or was there some research involved?

 

[allen]

way to go on those neat finds...

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I will post another pic tonight after work. I am going to wire brush some of the crud off.

We are both excited to get back to this spot. The area is very hard to get to. 4WD with good ground clearance is a must.

Thanks for all the replies, VPR

Can't wait to see the updated pics. Looks like you may have found a dream location to hunt. If it is so hard to get to, what made you think to hunt in that area? Just a hunch or was there some research involved?

This is a spot that I have wanted to hunt all summer. The town has only recently repaired the road enough for me to pass with my Toyota Tacoma. It has been a very wet summer here in VT. Lots of roads still washed out.
There is an old falling down house here. I will get some pics of the site hopefully this weekend.

Thanks again, VPR

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

Here are some cleaned up pics.

VPR

 

[incajoe]

If you have access a pair of calipers that will give you an exact measurement to work with.

 

[Goldiver]

Sweet cannon ball! That appears to be an 18 lb solid shot very likely British, if so as somone else mentioned look for markings, the British were notorious for marking everything with the Broad Arrow so they could kick your butt if they found out you stole thier stuff! The range on the 18 pounder was up to 2.25 miles according to my resources. I would keep looking for more nearby, maybe there was a camp there? Any way if you find markings please post photos and keep us up to date.

Thanks for sharing!
Steve

P.S. The Broad arrow many times resembles this (but a little more pointy) /|\ with many variations.

 

[cival war hunter 2 !]

I swear that's what i saw at the cemetery, or found, i didn't dig it up but i may go back and see what is, if i do dig it, i will pay my respecs to the dead by fixing the broken tomb stones or flowers on the graves that don't have any.

Here are some cleaned up pics.

VPR

 

[Goldiver]

Here is another example of a solid shot marked with a Broad Arrow, see it highlighted.

See my circle on your shot...it may be my imagination trying to find it for you but it might be an arrow.

Steve

 

[Iron Patch]

Here is another example of a solid shot marked with a Broad Arrow, see it highlighted.

See my circle on your shot...it may be my imagination trying to find it for you but it might be an arrow.

Steve

I think it would be more defined than that.

Like the post above I also think it might be an 18 pounder. Not sure 20 existed but worth looking into.

 

[Colonial Zoyboy]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet find there, buddy! That cannonball will fit perfectly into any collection. Great job on one heck of a great relic!

Now, get back out there and dig up 5 more...in the same hole!

Kyle

 

[RELICDUDE07]

Keep us posted with the new finds.I think you are in a great area for many more...

 

[dex378]

Looks like the scale reads 18 lbs.! That would be consistent with a British cannon ball. Very very cool!!!!!

 

[nightwolf]

Now that's a beauty of a first dig! Congrats on that spectacular relic find!

 

[Goldiver]

Here is another example of a solid shot marked with a Broad Arrow, see it highlighted.

See my circle on your shot...it may be my imagination trying to find it for you but it might be an arrow.

Steve

I think it would be more defined than that.

Like the post above I also think it might be an 18 pounder. Not sure 20 existed but worth looking into.

I think you are right, now that I have seen it on a different monitor, the impression would most likely be deeper.

Steve

 

[johnreb1980]

This site should help you out a bit. Nice find.

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

What are the opinions on "preserving" the cannon ball? We are not going to "clean" it any more.
Should a coat of oil or wax be put on or would you leave it just the way it is?

Thank You for all the replies and info, VPER

 

[johnreb1980]

It want do much good to put a coating on it if there is still rust present. All it will do is keep eating away at the ball underneath the sealer. I would put it through a little electrolysis , which should not take long as the ball isn't in to bad of shape. I ususally use Bri-Wax to coat my shell and fragments and even other iron objects. Also some people use oil on there's , but I heard it leaves them ,well kinda oily, no pun intended. I really don't know if it leaves it oily or not ,so I will leave it up to you. If you use wax make sure you heat the ball up so it will open the poors up in the metal that way it will be sealed good.

Jonathon

 

[Ronin9868]

What are the opinions on "preserving" the cannon ball? We are not going to "clean" it any more.
Should a coat of oil or wax be put on or would you leave it just the way it is?

Thank You for all the replies and info, VPER

Hey VPER,

You really need to get all the rust off the cannonball. If you don't over time it will eat away at it like cancer. Electrolosis is one way but you can also use a Dremmel to remove the rust. After it is all dont you need to heat it and clear coat it. By heating it the clear coat is taken better. Here is a photo of some 6 pounders that have been preserved. Hope this helps.

Ronin