Cannonball, shot put, or other?

[Rarnwolf]

I found this guy the other day. Its extremely magnetic, I believe its pretty obviously cast iron. Diameter measures approximately 4.01 to 4.02 inches (my calipers have short noses). Weighs 8lbs 11.6oz. Found at goodwill and I'm a sucker for cast iron. It is quite well rounded and appears to have been smoothed out in some areas. There are 2 slightly flat areas on the ball one appears to be the top and is about 3/8ths in and the other is about 1/4in close to the side not a perfect angle. Both are well rounded too. Any help is appreciated!

 

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[ctalmadg]

Take a read... Similar to yours.

Cannonball Identification Help | American Civil War Forums

 

[Rarnwolf]

Take a read... Similar to yours.

Cannonball Identification Help | American Civil War Forums

Similar size finish for sure. That one has a more pronounced bead and the hole though. I've forwarded the information here to a local civil war museum and they are having a state college professor take a look. I from what I'm finding it does seem to be a crushing ball of sorts or pre civil war cannon ball. The information hunt is the fun part!

 

[flyadive]

My opinion is its not a cannonball. Sorry .
HH

 

[ARC]

Hmmm.
Shot put ball ? ? ?
weigh 8.8 Lbs... on a put ball.
Scale accurate ?

 

[Rarnwolf]

No problem flyadive. Just fishing for answers. The scale is very accurate I ship items daily and double check with the post office once a week, including today for that purpose.

 

[ARC]

"In open competitions the men's shot weighs 7.260 kilograms (16.01 lb), and the women's shot weighs 4 kilograms (8.8 lb)"
So then not a shot put by weight.

 

[Rarnwolf]

Thanks AARC!

 

[RichieRich]

I found this guy the other day. Its extremely magnetic, I believe its pretty obviously cast iron. Diameter measures approximately 4.01 to 4.02 inches (my calipers have short noses). Weighs 8lbs 11.6oz. Found at goodwill and I'm a sucker for cast iron. It is quite well rounded and appears to have been smoothed out in some areas. There are 2 slightly flat areas on the ball one appears to be the top and is about 3/8ths in and the other is about 1/4in close to the side not a perfect angle. Both are well rounded too. Any help is appreciated!

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Looks like a milling ball. Any mills in the area?

 

[Rarnwolf]

Oberlin and Wellington both had mills. But non currently in operation that I know of. I thought the same thing, in my research it seems milling balls have very visible seems, finish looks different. I realize this can change with use and age. I heard back from 2 sources today. A history professor at a state college who believes its a canon ball. As well as Rusty from Historical Firearms Swords Sabers Bayonets Guns, a military weapon, and cannon ball collector who says it is a cannon ball but isn't sure of the age. He believes it could be from pre civil war. I know this is all speculation and opinion but I can't say with 100% certainty it is a real until I put it in the hands of an expert. Or thecannonballguy weighs in. I am getting digital calipers on it this week though. So I can feel better about it. Haha I love this researching!

 

[mick56]

4 kilograms, or 8.8 pounds, equals 8 lbs 12.8 oz. Just a tad heavier than yours.

 

[Rarnwolf]

4 kilograms, or 8.8 pounds, equals 8 lbs 12.8 oz. Just a tad heavier than yours.

That's true! Competition 4kg/8.8lb women's shot put begin in 1948. Junior shot put is also 8.8lb. Men's shot put regulation weighs 16.01lbs. Been looking for pictures like mine unmarked as well. Almost all weigh 4kg/8.8lb that I have found. Others are even marked weighing a tad more than 8.8 to prove they're legal for competition. British and Scottish soldiers were said to use cannon balls for shot put well before it became a competitive sport.