Small round heavy bronze looking ball?

[NicoleG]

Hi everybody! My sister gave me this... small, really heavy ball, that for years we have referred to as the cannon ball. She found it back in 2010 in the middle of nowhere Utah. I finally decided to do some research on it, and starting to think it is probably not a canon ball afterwards. Any thoughts on what it could be? It’s only a couple of inches wide and weighs about 2.5 lbs

 

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[mhess22]

I remember my dad having a brass ball like that in his workshop years ago. I can't recall what he said it was for, I feel like it had something to do with a well. I will call him tomorrow when he is up and see if he remembers the one we had.

 

[vpnavy]

I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard NicoleG! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country). You might also consider adding your state (or country) to your displayed profile (SETTINGS -> EDIT PROFILE) so if you ask a question, etc. - people may have more success helping you (if necessary)...

 

[DCMatt]

Was it freezing cold when this was found? See any neutered monkeys in the vicinity?

Obviously, I have no idea what it is...

 

[diggummup]

Was it freezing cold when this was found? See any neutered monkeys in the vicinity?

Obviously, I have no idea what it is...

Gotta love the Beastie Boys.

Don't know what it is, just wanted to add that it appears to be a cast piece.

 

[toddbbq]

probably a well Pump check valve ball. It prevented the water from flowing back into the well when the pump was turned off.

 

[Phishfarmer]

It got froze off a monkey.

 

[Tony in SC]

The marks look like rodent tooth marks, Makes me think it might have some lead content?

 

[NicoleG]

probably a well Pump check valve ball. It prevented the water from flowing back into the well when the pump was turned off.

Interesting! Any thoughts on a time period of when this would have been used?

 

[NicoleG]

I remember my dad having a brass ball like that in his workshop years ago. I can't recall what he said it was for, I feel like it had something to do with a well. I will call him tomorrow when he is up and see if he remembers the one we had.

That would be great! My curiosity is peaked!
Funny because both of my parents are in the well industry lol My dad drills water wells.

 

[a2jones]

Did you have it streak tested for gold content. Have seen gold smelted at home cast in ball shape.

 

[NicoleG]

I have not.. I guess the thought of it possibly being gold never crossed my mind ��

 

[mhess22]

I remember my dad having a brass ball like that in his workshop years ago. I can't recall what he said it was for, I feel like it had something to do with a well. I will call him tomorrow when he is up and see if he remembers the one we had.

Ok, I checked with my father and he said the one that we had came out of an old well pump at a house he was remodeling. It looked a lot like the ball you have there. Hope this helps.

 

[olroy70]

actually, a windmill had 2 one on the bottom of the pipe, and one on the end of the sucker rod. usually less than 2" tho. and, I have never seen one broken

 

[Bruce R]

Are you certain it’s not a projectile ? It sure looks like it hit something !

 

[worldtalker]

probably a well Pump check valve ball. It prevented the water from flowing back into the well when the pump was turned off.

The surface is way to rough for a good seal.

 

[NicoleG]

actually, a windmill had 2 one on the bottom of the pipe, and one on the end of the sucker rod. usually less than 2" tho. and, I have never seen one broken

I’ve tried doing some research on if it could have been in a windmill, but I haven’t seem much online about it. I also just measured it and it is 2.5” in diameter.

 

[NicoleG]

Ok, I checked with my father and he said the one that we had came out of an old well pump at a house he was remodeling. It looked a lot like the ball you have there. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for following up on that for me! I will look further into this.

 

[Oddjob]

something from pier one imports, like back in the 80s with all that sloppy brass casting stuff they had.

 

[NicoleG]

Are you certain it’s not a projectile ? It sure looks like it hit something !

I’m not sure about anything to be honest lol We always had the same thoughts though based on that damage. It was found near no civilization what so ever