Recent finds possibly live ammo-cannonballs

[Underwonder]

I recently have found some varied ammunition in a local pond/muck. The clip has live bullets..The bottom says USC Co 17.
I believe WWII era. The other smaller bullets are maybe hunting bullets? The projectile looking item I am not sure if it is some type of ammo or just a plumb bob..or something else.

Mostly I would like to know more about the probable cannonballs. One has a hole going through the center..The other does not seem to be.

I don't want to report to the police or bomb squad because I want them preserved vs. blown up...but I haven't found anyone in the area to do this.

I am posting to get feedback! Thanks!
Kim

 

[Underwonder]

didn't mean to post back of spoon photo but open to info on that as well.

 

[DizzyDigger]

The item in the first image looks like an ammo clip for a military rifle.

Do the straight walled cartridges have anything marked on the bottom
around the primer?

 

[Gare]

you have some nice finds Thank you for sharing with us

 

[russau]

YES those cannon balls COULD BE POTENSIONALLY LOADED AND COULD EVPLODE . A long time ago I saw a T.V. video on a man down south that also finds these cannon balls and has a method of making them safe. I can't remember his name but I do remember his face and voice CLEARLY ! The Gold Prospectors of America *GPAA" PERRY MASSIE knew this guy and he was part of that video. CONTACT them and I don't remember their contact info!

 

[ToddsPoint]

I wouldn’t call the cops either. They’ll take everything. The straight wall cartridges look like the ones for my 38-55 lever action Winchester.

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Very nice !

 

[Underwonder]

The item in the first image looks like an ammo clip for a military rifle.

Do the straight walled cartridges have anything marked on the bottom
around the primer?

 

[pepperj]

I recently have found some varied ammunition in a local pond/muck. The clip has live bullets..The bottom says USC Co 17.
I believe WWII era. The other smaller bullets are maybe hunting bullets? The projectile looking item I am not sure if it is some type of ammo or just a plumb bob..or something else.

Mostly I would like to know more about the probable cannonballs. One has a hole going through the center..The other does not seem to be.

I don't want to report to the police or bomb squad because I want them preserved vs. blown up...but I haven't found anyone in the area to do this.

I am posting to get feedback! Thanks!
Kim

The clip and single bullets I wouldn't worry about as the swamp probably took care of the ability to fire.
The spoon, could you provide a few more photos, length handle, bowl.
The other shot I would get a civil war collector to view and to give you some info.
@cannonball would be very helpful if still available.
Great day of relic hunting for recoveries.

 

[Underwonder]

YES those cannon balls COULD BE POTENSIONALLY LOADED AND COULD EVPLODE . A long time ago I saw a T.V. video on a man down south that also finds these cannon balls and has a method of making them safe. I can't remember his name but I do remember his face and voice CLEARLY ! The Gold Prospectors of America *GPAA" PERRY MASSIE knew this guy and he was part of that video. CONTACT them and I don't remember their contact info!

Thanks. I have watched videos of water drilling mostly good results and one bad...so....not for me and I don't want to put anyone in danger....but if someone can safely do it....Thanks for the leads...

 

[beepbleep]

What a great day. You have found an amazing spot to search. Have you measured the diameter of the balls to see what size they are? Cannon balls are on my bucket list so you are doing great! Be careful with them. Maybe keep the sealed ones in a bucket of water so the powder doesn't dry out until inspected.
Thanks for sharing your finds.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Thecan

YES those cannon balls COULD BE POTENSIONALLY LOADED AND COULD EVPLODE . A long time ago I saw a T.V. video on a man down south that also finds these cannon balls and has a method of making them safe. I can't remember his name but I do remember his face and voice CLEARLY ! The Gold Prospectors of America *GPAA" PERRY MASSIE knew this guy and he was part of that video. CONTACT them and I don't remember their contact info!

Thecannonballguy used to do that. Don’t know anymore. There was a guy around Richmond who did a lot of the for many people. Can’t remember the name. He took a short cut about 10 yrs ago and got killed. …not sure if that was the guy on your video.

 

[ARC]

Under... can you post some more pics of the English Crown piece please.

 

[AU Seeker]

YES those cannon balls COULD BE POTENSIONALLY LOADED AND COULD EVPLODE . A long time ago I saw a T.V. video on a man down south that also finds these cannon balls and has a method of making them safe. I can't remember his name but I do remember his face and voice CLEARLY ! The Gold Prospectors of America *GPAA" PERRY MASSIE knew this guy and he was part of that video. CONTACT them and I don't remember their contact info!

Russau, the guy you're referring too is named Steve, can't remember his last name, but he is a relic hunter in Alabama, has a very extensive collection of Civil War relics, one of the biggest in the SE, he had a setup in a field in a shed where he had a vice and drill press setup that he used to drill the cannonballs which is the step they can explode, he had the drill press setup so he could pull on a rope from a few hundred feet away to keep from blowing himself up, he also is the owner of a big scuba dive shop in Alabama and he and his son are certified divers, not sure if it's still in business or was sold.
He also went to Nome Alaska every year for many years to dredge offshore for gold along with his son and a couple of helpers, and they did very well, on his dive shop website he had a yearly report on his Nome dredging trips, I can't seem to find his website,

Thecan

Thecannonballguy used to do that. Don’t know anymore. There was a guy around Richmond who did a lot of the for many people. Can’t remember the name. He took a short cut about 10 yrs ago and got killed. …not sure if that was the guy on your video.

@TheCannonballGuy hasn't been on the forum since 07-07-25, almost 2 months not, I know his health was failing so I hope he's doing OK and will visit soon, or otherwise we may never know what happened to him.

 

[ArfieBoy]

Interesting finds, but they could be dangerous. Good luck finding someone to help you.

 

[billb]

Very nice work
Thanks again for sharing

 

[ncsuwolf]

Virginia Man Killed In Civil War Cannonball Blast | Fox News

Virginia Man Killed In Civil War Cannonball Blast

www.foxnews.com

There’s the situation I spoke of.

 

[Almy]

Lots of info on the web about .32-40. It's an unusual caliber. The military cartridges look big, maybe .50s?

 

[russau]

Interesting finds, but they could be dangerous. Good luck finding someone to help you.

Thankyou AU Seeker ! YEP that's name ! Steve and yep to his video's in Alaska and other's ! It take my ole brain a bit to recall now-a-days !

 

[ncsuwolf]

Lots of info on the web about .32-40. It's an unusual caliber. The military cartridges look big, maybe .50s?

Pretty sure those are .30-06s