Cannonball Question. 109 lbs, 9" dia. please help.

[visakay]

Please help.
i purchased a cannonball...i think. is this a real cannonball?

9" diameter, seem to have a hollow core, weighs 109 lbs. has a 1 7/16" hold goes down about 3" and then opens up to a hollow spot...

i will post a photo. hope you can help me.

 

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[ironhorse]

Is that correct, 109 lbs?

 

[Dave Rishar]

The pictures appear to show a ferrous object, but I'd expect a ferrous object to weigh less on account of the hollow center. Odd. How precise are the size and weight measurements?

Interestingly enough, 108 lbs. and change is what I came up for as the expected weight of an iron ball that was 9" in diameter that was completely solid - very close to the listed 109 lbs. of the ball pictured above.

 

[Higgy]

I must be naïve, because my first question is: Why the heck would someone pay good money for a bloody cannonball in the first place?

 

[nsdq]

no clue

 

[parkgt]

I must be naïve, because my first question is: Why the heck would someone pay good money for a bloody cannonball in the first place?

Maybe because they didn't already have one of their own!

 

[Red James Cash]

Most likely a mortar shell instead of a cannon ball.

 

[BosnMate]

Agree, probably a mortar shell.
This is an explosive mortar shell, the time fuse goes into the hole.
and here is a mortar.

 

[huntsman53]

I also agree that it is a Mortar Shell but due to the weight, one would think that it has something inside of it! Maybe someone poured Lead in it to make it very difficult to steal and Lead would likely account for the extreme amount that it is overweight.


Frank

 

[ARC]

It IS a mortar ball.

 

[visakay]

Is that correct, 109 lbs?

Yes, between 109 & 111 lbs.. and it has a large hollow spot in side..

 

[visakay]

It IS a mortar ball.

thank you very much

 

[visakay]

wow, i Thank every one on this site for your kind help.. your all fantastic for sure. i had tried to find info on my own, on the web, but came up with very little, maybe because i know very very little about things like this. so my heartfelt thank you to all on this site.
visakay

 

[ARC]

Err sorry...
This is actually NOT a "ball"...
"SHOT" are solid...
"SHELL" Shells were packed with black powder with a fuse.

SO... You have in my opinion..."A mortar SHELL". heh

It is yet... yes still a "ball"...
But correct terminology would be...
Mortar shell.

Shrapnel Shell, invented by a British officer, name of Schrapnel.

By the way... these are easily identified by those divots ... this is how they would "pick up" the damn thing...
With "tongs".

 

[visakay]

Heartfelt Thank You to All on this site for your kind help, your fantastic !! thank you, thank you..
visakay

 

[ARC]

Np...
how much did you pay if you don't mind ?

 

[ARC]

Also the weight is HEAVY...
Maybe full of lead ?

 

[visakay]

it's not like it is all hollow inside, but there is a hollow space, the walls are still thick.
thanks to everyone for your insight.

 

[visakay]

no secrets... $110.00 and have this listed up for sale on e bay starting 2 p.m. east coast time today Sunday. started for $325.00
wot think?
thanks again to all on this site. i always try to look up on my own first, before asking for help.. so i thank you all .

 

[visakay]

yes