stone cannonball

[stefwilliams1991]

Hi im new to this. My husband believes he may have found a stone cannon ball. is there someone on here who has any info on cannonballs?? it was located in Missouri. Thanks

 

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[Underwonder]

Photos might help with ruler next to it for size.

 

[villagenut]

Let me think.....how about The Cannonball Guy

 

[Dug]

Recommend you post it on the "What is it" forum with weight and diameter, where it was found and a pic of it and like villagenut just posted, Cannonballguy who is very informed on the subject will likely respond.

Not saying they don't exist but I have yet to see a stone cannon ball verified here. I suspect that by the time cannons were introduced into North America that stone would have been obsolete as a cannon projectile, but that is just my opinion.

 

[Westfront]

Stone cannon balls were used in the first days of cannons. They made it to Europe, but very few were found at castles. By the time cannons were in use in America the time of stone cannon balls was long over. So my guess is grinding stone out of a ball mill. Without a pic and size it's just guessing.

 

[GoDeep]

A stone used in a Cannon in the time period to be found in Missouri, would have burst into dust and gravel due to the extreme (relative for the time) chamber pressures.

 

[vpnavy]

1st - I noticed this was your very first post - so, Welcome Aboard stefwilliams1991! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forum: Select Your Area.... for information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).

2nd - A picture(s) is worth a zillion words! If you are having problems posting pictures - take a look at: How to post pictures with your story...

 

[ARC]

Stone cannon balls were used in the first days of cannons. They made it to Europe, but very few were found at castles. By the time cannons were in use in America the time of stone cannon balls was long over. So my guess is grinding stone out of a ball mill. Without a pic and size it's just guessing.

Incorrect...

They were used right through the Civil War.

 

[ARC]

A stone used in a Cannon in the time period to be found in Missouri, would have burst into dust and gravel due to the extreme (relative for the time) chamber pressures.

Also incorrect.

 

[Westfront]

Incorrect...

They were used right through the Civil War.

I don't think it's incorrect. The time for stone cannon balls was long over in civil war times. It may be possible that there were still stone cannon balls used, but if, most likely out of necessity due to shortage in resources. That's a question for an expert in this field.

 

[Slingshot]

Confederates used stone cannonballs in the Civil War, they were covered in leather. Wartime shortages forced this measure, and by the Atlanta campaign in 1864, they were used as solid shot in lieu of iron cannonballs.

A relic hunting buddy of mine found one - without the leather of course - in a Confederate gun emplacement near Atlanta back in the mid 70's. It was there with several other shells that had been left behind when the gun was moved. It was 12 pounder size.

 

[ARC]

I don't think it's incorrect. The time for stone cannon balls was long over in civil war times. It may be possible that there were still stone cannon balls used, but if, most likely out of necessity due to shortage in resources. That's a question for an expert in this field.

lol... one did... I just answered you. heh

(although i hold no "degree" or any other paper that states it... but know enough to teach those that do a thing or two as well.)

And yes... they were not the "norm"... but used... along with anything else they could stuff in one.

 

[GoDeep]

Also incorrect.

Not incorrect, you need to re-read my reply. I never said that no one tried to use them during the Civil War. No doubt due to lack of resources, stone wasn't the only material they resorted to trying.

What i stated was that they often fragment as they couldn't handle the chamber pressures of cannons from the Civil War Era. Gun powder and cannon design had improved dramatically by the time the Civil War came about resulting in increased chamber pressures compared to earlier cannons and gun powder that fired stone balls. Fragmenting stone is inconsistent and lacks the range and accuracy of iron shot which is why stone had all but been replaced by iron centuries before the civil war.

To get them to clear the barrel without fragmenting would have necessitated such a small charge compared to their iron counterpart, their range and effectiveness would have been severely compromised.