I was given this by a dealer in Virginia Beach, VA. USA. It was found, not surprisingly, on a beach locally.
Note that there is significant delamination. It has not been treated.
Current size is
11.5" long
~4" in diameter.
I estimate that the original length was ~14"
I have no doubt about the authenticity of this thing.
Age ... Well there were a lot of violent confrontations along the Eastern seaboard of the US. Pirates, Brits, the CW. I sez pick yer age and go with it.
I'd guess CW.
A note on chain and bar shot. These silly things have been reproduced in 12ga shotgun loadings. The research that I have seen suggests that both extremities of these lethal things go thru the same hole.
Here is a test ... both balls (1/2" in dia) make a hole 1" in dia.
https://youtu.be/toYywyiOBw0?t=66
