Anybody know about cannonballs?

[amblypygi]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm tending to agree that it's probably not a cannonball. I took some better measurements and pictures and they seem to rule out a 32 pounder, which is really all it could be if it was a US cannonball. The hole is weird because it expands inside but not very much. It is also much smaller and less square on one side versus the other. Oh well, another mysterious thing found while looking for bottles, eh? Thanks again for the help.

Sean

 

[amblypygi]

ORIGINAL: Steve/sewell

The ball does fit the criteria of being a cannon ball in outward appearance. Could it have been cast round and solid like a cannon ball and cut afterwards with an acetylene torch. The metal does look like it was melted altered at the square openings surface on the sphere it is shiny new looking on the edges of the opening.Just a thought

That shinyness is from me hacking at the rust with a screwdriver. When found it was a complete mass of black rust, what you see here is what emerged after I attacked it. My damn hands are still as black as they used to be back when I still fixed my own cars

 

[RedGinger]

Where did you dig it? Interesting piece.

 

[JOETHECROW]

ORIGINAL: amblypygi

That shinyness is from me hacking at the rust with a screwdriver.

[/quote]


TAP,...TAP,...TAP...........BOOM![]

 

[Poison_Us]

I want to say that possibly they were shackle weights...prisoners tied to their heavy balls on the chain gang.. Have no idea why whey would have square holes... The only reason to have square holes is to not be able to turn the ball. The ends don't match so they can release the rod that made the hole easier. If they were made after casting, this process is called Broaching. I just can't think of a reason for them to have square holes. They are already round, so if they turned it wouldn't make any difference. Unless they fit onto a square peg of sorts, making the fit firm with the taper...but why..

 

[surfaceone]

Hey Sean,

Cool mystery find. sir. Could it be half an example of Bar Shot?

"Chain shot and bar shot were most often used in naval applications. Chain shot, pictured at the top, consisted of two balls of shot that were joined together by a chain. Bar shot, pictured at the bottom, consisted of two spherical balls of shot joined together with a bar. The principle of these types of shot was that they could be fired at the masts and rigging of ships and their whirling action would inflict severe damage." From.

 

[Nickevlau]

That was my first thought as well, just didn't know how to explain it.

 

[GuntherHess]

I think Joe was correct, it is a cast iron counter weight.
I have seen a number of these at early southern homes.
They were called cannon ball gate weights.
http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archive/2007/09/cannonball-gate/
Used to automatically close heavy gates.

 

[blade]

I'm thinking it's a bowling ball from the 18th century.

 

[riverdiver]

I am gonna go with possible bar shot, that was my first thought.