cannonball?

[mclucky]

Field hunting and came across this iron ball...was told several militias practiced in this area civil war era.What do you think? Diameter a little over two and a half inches. It's to heavy for my little scale.

 

[Louie.Penning]

Sweet find...

 

[Steve1825]

As long as there is no lead plug where a fuse would be placed. Looks more like a shot that was inside a ball. At least we can rule out a shot put. Still a nice find and stirs up some conversation.

 

[Nancy-IL]

No telling what it was. It will be a good "Whatsit". Something that we may never know. HH, Nancy

 

[Larry (IL)]

Too many possibilities Steve, if you wanted to call it a cannonball, that is fine with me.....

It is too large to be canister shot, most canister shot was between 1" to 2" and although it falls into the grapeshot size, grapeshot was pretty well out of favor for field artillery by 1850. The Navy did use grapeshot against sailing vessels throughout the Civil War though.

The most common use of smaller iron balls was as a grinding medium. Interesting find whatever it is.

 

[mclucky]

This was small town militia....don't think they would have the most new and improved stuff..don't know for sure. I am using some Navel jelly on it and will post a new pic when it's cleaned up. Steve

 

[geodehunter]

Please post some pics when you get it cleaned up some. It's an interesting find.