Civil war artifact?

Tigerdude · Jan 9, 2017

I have this posted on another forum. Found it near where I found the .52 minie ball. It appears to be lead, like a plug of some sort. Any idea?

Tigerdude · Jan 9, 2017

Another view.

Carolina Tom · Jan 9, 2017

Sure does look like a cannon ball fuse...

taz42o · Jan 9, 2017

Barrel tap maybe.

vhs07 · Jan 9, 2017

Look like a piece of a car battery

Carolina Tom · Jan 9, 2017

vhs07 said:
Look like a piece of a car battery

I am leaning this way...

Good call

Tigerdude · Jan 9, 2017

Haha, if its a piece of a car battery. Ill have to google it. Man, hope springs eternal!

taz42o · Jan 9, 2017

Can we see a pic of the ends, is it solid or just smashed shut.
Cannonball fuse do not stick out past surface of cannon ball.
You item and item in middle of Tom's pic are not fuses.
Also are those threads or just ridges.

BosnMate · Jan 9, 2017

I don't know for sure, but I don't think fuses were made from lead, so I go along with battery part.

Tigerdude · Jan 9, 2017

its definitely threaded.

taz42o · Jan 9, 2017

This is what a battery post looks like, they are not threaded.

Back-of-the-boat · Jan 9, 2017

From the picture it's a little hard to tell if it is threaded or just ribbed and looks like it's threaded. OP could you clear up if it is indeed threaded or just looks threaded.

Dug · Jan 9, 2017

BosnMate said:
I don't know for sure, but I don't think fuses were made from lead, so I go along with battery part.

Actually many fuzes were made from zinc which turn powdery white when ozidized and can appear like lead. I will agree that the pictured item is not a cannon ball fuze as the side opposite the threading is made into it with flanges. Certainly a mystery and I look to see some someone do a positive ID on it.