Civil War Canon Ball Found today

[FinderKeeper]

OK we just found this 4lb Civil War Canon Ball today , Is it safe to keep. It has a black circle about 1/8" on it , could it be a fuse to explode it when fired . It was found at a local playground with some Civil War Bullets. HELP

 

[UnderMiner]

We need to see a closer image of the black circle to determine if it's a fuse. If the 'circle' is made of brass with numbers on it then that's a powder-train fuse, which may still be dangerous as it is well sealed, but if it's just a fuse hole with the remains of a more primitive fuse in it, then the ball likely poses no threat. In any case if it's a hollow cannon ball full of gun powder found outside after 150 years the powder will typically be complealty destroyed and harmless in 99% of cases.

 

[FinderKeeper]

We need to see a closer image of the black circle to determine if it's a fuse. If the 'circle' is made of brass with numbers on it then that's a powder-train fuse, which may still be dangerous as it is well sealed, but if it's just a fuse hole with the remains of a more primitive fuse in it, then the ball likely poses no threat. In any case if it's a hollow cannon ball full of gun powder found outside after 150 years the powder will typically be complealty destroyed and harmless in 99% of cases.

Ok I will get a better picture of it today. I did not see any brass on it. Thank You for the info.

 

[gunsil]

I believe Cannonballguy has said there are no known instances of dug CW ordinance exploding and injuring anybody. I myself would not worry, no matter what kind of fuse it has the powder has been soaked and rendered inert.