Cannon Ball?

[shanegalang]

What in the world is this? When I found it, it was sitting half way out of a sugar cane row. I thought surely it was a cannon ball and called buckleboy over. The only problem is, it is wrapped in brass?? And has a brass "tit"? It weighs 5 pounds..very dense and heavy for it's size, it's 3 3/4" across. I am at a total lost..........what would be so heavy, shaped like a cannon ball, weighs like one but was wrapped in a thin layer of brass? Please help olve this one!!! Thanks!!! Shanegalang- Cane field Bandits.

 

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[Helix]

I don't know anything about cannon balls but that sure looks like a grease/zerk fitting protruding from it.

 

[ModernMiner]

I think that would make a great wedding gift for Will & Molly.
She can throw it at him when he gets out of line. LOL

Neat find Shang. Hopefully you can get an ID on it.
-Doug-

 

[Helix]

Now that I think about it I think its part of a 3 point hitch for a tractor or something. It was part of a pivot point for some type of farm equipment. Sort of like a giant ball baring. I know its function but can't think of a better way to explain. I am sure others will fill in the blanks. ok If ya goggle image "top link assembly tractor" this its the type of function I was thinking. It would have been very similar to the ball type joint on either end of the "top link assembly" Thus the grease nipple to keep the ball joint greased. This is my guess.

 

[oooldman]

This is just a wild guess.... but the bump on top looks like a nipple. so my wild guess would be a hand grenade of some nature with either a percussion cap hoping to fire it as it lands and rolls on the ground or a fuse inserted and lit before it is thrown.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Sorry to have to disappoint, but speaking as a pre-1900s Explosive Ordnance specialist, I can say that it is definitely not any kind of grenade, nor artillery projectile.

The only other thing I can tell you which might be relevant for identifying it:
I've seen "old" iron/steel balls (from before the advent of Stainless Steel becoming commonly available) which were covered with a thin shell of copper or brass to prevent the iron from rusting/corroding (which can cause the whatever mechanism the ball is part of to "gum up" and jam). Nowadays, instead of a copper/brass shell, stainless steel is used, or chrome-plating, etc.

 

[shanegalang]

Thanks canonball guy. You can imagine when I saw it, only the iron part was exposed so we thought surely it was a cannon ball. That thing is heavy! One of the strangest pieces I have ever found. BB suggested it might be a weight of sorts. Lots of sugar cane mill history in that area as well. I hope someone can identify it and maybe post a picture. Your information about the brass around it is very helpful, again thanks.

 

[bradyboy]

I agree, looks like a grease fitting - nipple
Brady

 

[mangum]

I've got one that's brass covered, no nipple though. It was IDed as a well weight

 

[taz42o]

Unless there are exit holes in it then that would not be a grease fitting.
You would not grease the inside of solid ball.
With that weight and diameter it should be solid iron.

 

[shanegalang]

Unless there are exit holes in it then that would not be a grease fitting. You would not grease the inside of solid ball. With that weight and diameter it should be solid iron.

I agree. I am certain that it is solid! Magum, whats a well weight?

 

[VOL1266-X]

I've already heard about this one Shane-LOL. Q.

 

[Tnmountains]

lol no idea.

 

[shanegalang]

I've already heard about this one Shane-LOL. Q.

Yeah, well when it was sticking half way out the ground, couldnt see the brass crap.......I thought CB!! Will was shaking lol I was calm and like, good find? ha ha