Big Ol Cannonball

[FreeEnterprise]

I found this about a year ago with my detector. It is six inches and weighs about 30#. I was told it is pretty rare, as there were only 2 different cannons that fired this size cannonball.

I found it in Monroe Ohio, in the backyard of my house. I think the previous owners may have put it there as it was close to the foundation of my sunroom.

I don't know how to post pics, but here is a link to it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/glennw...e2.jpg&.src=ph

I have also been told it was fired one time, as it only has "burn" marks on one side of it. (shown in pic).

any info would be appreciated.

gm

"Free"Enterprise

[NB Digger]

In order to determine if this is a true canonball (solid shot) you will have to get some fairly precise measurements on it ie: wieght and diameter not to mention that it should be round, no distortion! ( I have learned this the hard way and almost lost a good deal of money on a bogus shell) You will need a large set of calipers/ micrometer and a very accurate scale. Then check out this site and compare. http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm ) This site is great and done by a noted artillery "guru".
There are a lot of "round" balls out there that were actually used for rock crushers, ships ballast, machine counter wieghts, and heavy machinery bearings and are made of steel not iron and it can be hard to determine the difference sometimes!
I do hope that it is a cannonball though and if so good find!
Travis

[FreeEnterprise]

Ok, give me a minute. As I can hardly breath...


I carried it back to my shipping department and weighed it on our UPS scale.

34.83 pounds...

I now have new respect for anyone who had to carry cannon balls back then.

Man, that sucker is heavy!

It is perfectly round, no visible seams, couple of indentations (shown in picture, less than 1/16 deep)

I'll see if we have a caliper that goes that big...

[FreeEnterprise]

6 3/8 inches in diameter, according to my ruler and a couple of measurements. I don't have a caliper that big.

[NB Digger]

Based on that weight (I hope that UPS scales are accurate!), I would say not a cannonball. The 32 Pounder as as used in the CW weighed in at about 32 lbs and a few ounces! I still think that you should try to find a set of calipers to get an accurate measure though.

By the way...I am not at all an Arty expert and these are my opinions only (as I have learned from others). I do not want to discourage... only help! You should get as many opinions as possible before drawing a final conclusion! I hope that I have helped in some small way.
Travis