SCDigginWithAK, the reason I hadn't said anything yet is, I do not read the Today's Finds forum every day, because very few posters ask for a relic-ID in it. I spend almost all my time here at TreasureNet in the What-Is-It forum, where my services are most often needed. So, if you see something that needs an ID in Today's Finds, please send me a PM heads-up about it, like Ekeisler did abut this iron ball. Also, please be sure to tell me the name the post it's in. Cdism, I co-wrote an Educational article which gives details information and instructions for how to tell an actual Artillery ball (cannonballs, Grapeshot balls, and Canister balls) from one of the many varieties of Civilian-usage (non-artillery) metal balls. Please read it and follow the instructions in it.
SolidShotEssentialsMod Some examples of the Civilian-usage metal balls are: "Mill-balls" from the Mining-&-Stonemilling Industry, "Ornamental Ironwork" balls (such as a gatepost-top), pump check-valve balls, ball-bearings (some are quite large), machinery counterweight balls, cement-delivery tank "cleaner" balls Sports Shot Put balls. As the article instructs (with photos), please measure the ball with a Digital Caliper, which will tell you the ball's diamter in hundredths-of-an-inch. Next, weigh the ball on a precision Postal Shipping scale, which measures in pounds AND ounces. Then, compare the ball's precisely-measured diameter and weight with the data in the charts from the US (and CSA) Ordnance Manual, to see if your "solid" (not hollow) ball matches any of the balls in the Manual's data. You can view it online, for free, at:
www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm Meanwhile... I can tell you that the nearest Artillery ball match-up with the estimated diameter and weight you reported is a 12-Pounder caliber Grapeshot ball or a 32-pounder caliber Canister ball (for both of those, the specified diameter is 2.03-to-2.05-inches, weight 1 pound 2 ounces). When you've precisely measured your ball, let us know if it matches that size and weight. A caution-note: If the ball is the correct diameter but is more than one ounce heavier than 1 pound 2 ounces, it is a steel ball -- which excludes it from being an Artillery ball, because there were no steel Grapeshot balls or Canister balls.
Seriously though, learned a lot about cannon balls this morning and if I ever do find a real one, I will certainly post it here first. Thanks for the warm welcome.
