Small Cast Iron Projectile or Shell?

[carcher33]

I recently found this little ball along the shoreline in Dublin, Ireland during a low tide. Originally I thought it was a ball bearing from a truck but now I'm curious if it might be a miniature cannonball or something similar? It's around 1 inch in diameter and weighs 4.7 ounces.

Thanks in advance!

 

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[TheCannonballGuy]

Super-precise measurements of a ball's weight and diameter are what tell us whether it is or is not an Artillery ball (cannon ball, Grapeshot ball, Canister-ammo ball, etc). Thanks for providing the precise weight, but it's "incomplete" without hearing an equally precise measurement of the ball's diameter. Preferably in inches, not millimeters.

For just one example of artillery-ball:
The US Ordnance Manual of 1861 specified that a 6-Pounder caliber Canister-ammo ball's diameter was carefully manufactured to be between 1.14 and 1.17-inches, and weighed .21-pound.(3.36-ounces). If you don't get a precise match on both diameter and weight, the ball is not an Artillery ball.
Cannon bore, shot, and shell diameters for smoothbore guns

Yes, I know you said you found it in Dublin Ireland. But the USA and CSA Ordnance Department at that time copied the artillery-ball sizes of the Mother Country, Great Britain.

By the way, about your question "projectile or shell". A "shell" is hollow. Your ball's diameter-to-weight ratio proves beyond any doubt that it is a Solid ball, not hollow... so whatever it may turn out to be, we know it is not a shell.

 

[FloodcityTom]

From the looks of it "Cannister shot" which was loaded into a cannon with a "stand" of other similar shot to turn the weapon into a giant shotgun, similar projectiles are common finds in US CIvil war battlefields, anti personnel and anti Cavalry. Quite possible these types of projectiles were on HMS Naval ships which might accout for your finding it on the shore lie....possible Naval battle nearby?

 

[Fossils]

If a ball is rusted, might that throw off diameter or weight calculations? Or are these factors negligible? Just curious.

 

[carcher33]

Thanks all - I'm anxious to get my hands on some more precise measurement tools so I can verify the diameter to weight ratio. A quick search for Naval ship wrecks around the area came up with a few interesting events that have sparked my curiosity..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Leinster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_Rochdale_and_Prince_of_Wales#D%C3%BAn_Laoghaire_Harbour

 

[Digger RJ]

Nice!! Congrats!!