Cannonball -- Civil War Era or Revolutionary Era? -- Or Fake?

[Smithfield55]

Hello -- I'm new to the forum so forgive any breaches of protocol -- Let me know if I'm posting inappropriately.

I am purchasing a "cannonball" as a gift for my eccentric brother. The seller claims that it is most likely a Revolutionary era shot. I am attaching photos (I think, I hope). It is ~5" in diameter and weighs ~20#, which seems to check out as solid cast iron. (Since it's solid, can I be pretty sure it's safe to handle??)

Unfortunately there is no history on it. I'm buying it from a guy in small town Colorado who bought it at an estate sale in Nebraska.

Assuming the photos come through on this post, you can see a variety of irregularities -- from casting? from weathering? from alteration?

Would appreciate any thoughts from this august group as to whether it's even real, and, if so, whether it's most likely Civil War era or Revolutionary era, or something else altogether.

Thanks!

 

[liftloop]

that mite be a ball from a ball mill used to crush ore...

 

[twomtns2002]

That is a Revolutionary War era ball. There was alot of fighting out here in the SW and Colorado/Durango was one of the few USA Victories in the early going. The communications and supply lines were long and discontinued by blockade...like the Baja Gulf incident (short story being worked On)
There was a surrender out in Las Vegas as a result of the blockade and lack of ammo.

We have a location for the Rev War era stash that has the device Franklin was using for electrical experiments in it. (was there last time I looked)

That ball in the photo should be xrayed...they built stones and balls with stuff inside, maybe a couple continentals?
They ran out of ammo out here (Currently in Yuma) and used rocks or what ever they could find, chain etc.

IN response to the question...what countries were fighting, that is a good question and it may never be answered properly, except to say that they were fighting for America.
German and Irish mercenaries were common, and out here the Austrailians could see a way to get to the California coast and fight in Nevada or Arizona, Colorado.
French, Belgian African , just about any group could be interested in a fight if it meant a grant or priviledge, and a part of the war effort was always to encourage desertion and re-enlistment on both sides, in that way, yes, it is similar to the Civil War, butt NO..make no mistake the Revolution was fought out here, and we have the proof for a price. Investment and Grants or Fellowship wanted.The cache Hoang Ho Consulting Treasure/recycle Div talks of is in a delicate part of the Las Vegas area parks area(US Govt) It should be more public, but it isn't, it could stay where it is and attract a lot of tourists,

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/treasurerecyclingdevelopment

 

[Monty]

What countries were fighting the Revolutionary war out in Colorado? That's a new one on me. Are you sure you don't mean the Civil War? Monty