Hey Cannonballman

[rock]

I think this is a stone or clay round shot from 1500s. It was a dig find which I bought from a antique shop. They thought it was a Indian artifact. I bought it! What says the people? It has a impact fracture on one side and was bought in Ocala Florida. Thats North Florida. Thanks

 

[ABruce]

Might be from some sort of lawn game.

 

[rock]

I called the owners and it was found in West Tallahassee Florida on the Cocohatchee river. A dig find

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

Sorry to have to answer your question with No ...it is definitely not a cannonball. The characteristics of the damage on it indicate is is made of clay -- not stone. There absolutely never were any clay cannonballs, because the cannon's explosive firing-blast causes clay to shatter into small pieces.

Waaay back at the very start of cannon history (in China and Medieval Europe), there were a few stone cannonballs. But yur ball is definitely not made of stone. I would agree with ABruce that it is "most likely" an antique clay ball from a lawn-game. I can't recall its name, but I've seen video of an ancient lawn-game (but still being played today) in which players roll a Softball-sized clay ball across the lawn to knock other balls out of the game. But of course, your white clay ball may be some other kind of ball. I am 100%-certain it is not a cannonball. Sorry I don't have happier news for you.

 

[rock]

Well Darn! LOL I only paid 10$ for it. It is heavy and I figured it to be some kind of weapon related object. The shop had no idea either. At least I dont have to worry about it getting too hot now. I do thank you for explaining the reason why it wasnt. I will keep looking then. Any idea of the age anyone?

 

[Lafitte Deux]

Looks like an old piece to a Bocce Ball set.

 

[rock]

Looks like an old piece to a Bocce Ball set.

Thank you I will check on that. I just dont have a clue. Feels like clay and is very dense for its size. I put under my MD and it didnt beep. I tried all the settings as to different kinds of metal and nothing. Any other ideas are welcome.

 

[rock]

No not a bocce ball. They are made of different material than mine. Good guess though. Anyone else?

 

[ABruce]

Theres another thing called CARPET BALLS. They were used in indoor games played on rugs.

 

[rock]

Theres another thing called CARPET BALLS. They were used in indoor games played on rugs.

Thank you I will check. I put this in the artifact page also to see and someone said milling ball that was worn down. It is a close match but I dont know the size of theirs. Mine is 3 inches high.

 

[rock]

Carpet balls are out. I typed clay balls and some interesting things came up. Some says they found clay balls and opened them and found jewels inside! I know there is something in the middle cause its so darn heavy. But if its an artifact that would kill it. What should I do?

 

[rock]

Update on this one. I took it to an Indian Museum this morning and they said they had another one brought in this week. The other person found his in Ga and I bought mine in N Fl. The person in charge said it was some type of game ball. Thought you might want to know. Its made of stone.

 

[cwo4670a]

ball grenade ?

Sorry to have to answer your question with No ...it is definitely not a cannonball. The characteristics of the damage on it indicate is is made of clay -- not stone. There absolutely never were any clay cannonballs, because the cannon's explosive firing-blast causes clay to shatter into small pieces.

Waaay back at the very start of cannon history (in China and Medieval Europe), there were a few stone cannonballs. But yur ball is definitely not made of stone. I would agree with ABruce that it is "most likely" an antique clay ball from a lawn-game. I can't recall its name, but I've seen video of an ancient lawn-game (but still being played today) in which players roll a Softball-sized clay ball across the lawn to knock other balls out of the game. But of course, your white clay ball may be some other kind of ball. I am 100%-certain it is not a cannonball. Sorry I don't have happier news for you.

off the question of stone cannon balls. i have a small hollow iron ball which was stated as a cannon ball. it does have a taper hole but not of the CW paper fuze size. can send a picture, maybe a grenade ? smaller than a 6 Pdr. so ? joe gatz

 

[tamrock]

Ceramic Grinding Mill Ball

 

[gordonquixote]

The Cocohatchee River is in South FL, Tallahasssee is up in the panhandle.

 

[coinman123]

off the question of stone cannon balls. i have a small hollow iron ball which was stated as a cannon ball. it does have a taper hole but not of the CW paper fuze size. can send a picture, maybe a grenade ? smaller than a 6 Pdr. so ? joe gatz

I recommend starting a new thread on this, in What is It, and posting photos there.

Also, I just realized that this thread is over 5 years old.

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

cwo4670a wrote:
> "Hey Cannonballman. Off the question of stone cannon balls. I have a small hollow iron ball which was stated as a cannon ball. It does have a taper hole but not of the CW paper fuze size. Can send a picture, maybe a grenade ? Smaller than a 6 Pdr. so ? joe gatz"

Joe, I agree with Coinman123, it's probably best to start a new discussion-thread for your mystery ball.

From what you are telling me so far, it sounds like it could be a ball-grenade. I'll need well-focused closeup photos, showing the ball AND showing the hole in it from more than one angle. Also need very-precise measurements of the ball's diameter (in hundredths-of-an-inch), made with a caliper. Very-precise weight measurement, made on a Postal Shipping scale in ounces, would also be helpful, because that info will help me calculate the (hollow) ball's wall thickness. (Typical household bathroom weighing-scales are too inaccurate.)

I see that's your very first post here at TreasureNet. Welcome! If you need coaching on how to include photos in a post, let me know.