✅ SOLVED Unkown cannonball

[confederate83]

Found this recently don't know much about it measures 3.64 inch on micrometer it is solid shot have not weighed it yet

 

[TheCannonballGuy]

If your micrometer is catching a bit of rust-encrustation on the ball's surface, it could be a 6-pounder caliber Solid-Shot cannonball. The 1861 Ordnance Manual specified those to be 3.58-inches in diamter... but I've measured a few that were 3.60-inches. The ball's precisely-measured weight will be the deciding factor. A 6-pdr. caliber Solid-Shot never weighed more than 6.1 pounds. (They can weigh a few ounces less, due to air bubbles getting trapped inside the iron ball during casting of the molten iron.) Cannon bore, shot, and shell diameters for smoothbore guns

Your TreasureNet profile says you are in Missouri. Both yanks and rebs used 6-pounder cannons in Missouri, so IF your ball's weight is in the correct range, it can be either a US or CS-made 6-pdr. Solid-Shot.

 

[vpnavy]

Outstanding find confederate83.

 

[confederate83]

What do you think about the quality of the casting seam I figured U.S. Balls were cast better

 

[confederate83]

And yes I live near the battles of Lexington and marshall MO one of the last stops on J.O. Shelbys raid