cannonballs....

M ELEY · 1st March 2025, 02:49 AM

Hmm. Yeah, one would usually expect to see one hole for the fuse/powder fill. The fact that it goes all the way through and also not hollow except for the channel seems to indicate another use. Many of these types that get confused with mortar shells, coehorn and grenades are often old counter-weights used for mechanisms (gate openers, large clock mechanisms, etc). There is always the small chance that these could still have had some military use, such as in chainshot, barshot, etc lacking some components, but without a maritime provenance, this is just guesswork.

Ed · 1st March 2025, 06:29 PM

They were probably used as weights but might have begun life as a cannonball. Do the holes look cast or drilled?

I was sobered to learn that they use iron balls in gizmos to crush rock.

M ELEY · 2nd March 2025, 12:50 AM

Ed brought up a good point indeed. Many so-called 'cannon balls' are actually mill balls used in tumblers to crush rocks into gravel. Then again, there are other suspects, like counter-weights, shot-puts, flag staff ends, iron rail ends, etc.

Will M · 2nd March 2025, 12:36 PM

Grinder balls typically have flat spots and their weight does not match common cannon ball sizes. Pictured are some British 12, 24, 32 lb balls. Broad arrow ball 24 lb fired in 1760 at a French fort in Canada.

Rick · 2nd March 2025, 07:07 PM

Here's my entrant in the cannon ball division.
Roughly 5" in diameter, hollow, weighs about 8 pounds but feels heavier than I would have thought. The only way to measure its weight was for me to get on our bathroom scale with and without it in my hands.
So much for accuracy in weight, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.
Opinions?

Picture is larger than the actual ball.

cel7 · 2nd March 2025, 07:37 PM

Thank you all for your comments!

Unfortunately no cannonballs then, although they were advertised as such by the auction. I have since sent them an email to point out their mistake.

M ELEY · 5th March 2025, 07:35 PM

Will M, I remember that great 'broad arrow' marked piece! I'm envious!
Rick, that is a great shell cannonball! It would be heavier if it were full of powder and small shot! I'm no expert on these and as these types have been around as early as the mid-17th up to the mid-19th and used throughout Europe and here in the U.S, someone more knowledgeable than me would have to wager an educated guess.

cel7, sorry for the bad news-

2nd March 2025, 12:36 PM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	Grinder balls typically have flat spots and their weight does not match common cannon ball sizes. Pictured are some British 12, 24, 32 lb balls. Broad arrow ball 24 lb fired in 1760 at a French fort in Canada. Attached Images

2nd March 2025, 07:07 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Here's my entrant in the cannon ball division. Roughly 5" in diameter, hollow, weighs about 8 pounds but feels heavier than I would have thought. The only way to measure its weight was for me to get on our bathroom scale with and without it in my hands. So much for accuracy in weight, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances. Opinions? Picture is larger than the actual ball. Attached Images

1st March 2025, 02:49 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	Hmm. Yeah, one would usually expect to see one hole for the fuse/powder fill. The fact that it goes all the way through and also not hollow except for the channel seems to indicate another use. Many of these types that get confused with mortar shells, coehorn and grenades are often old counter-weights used for mechanisms (gate openers, large clock mechanisms, etc). There is always the small chance that these could still have had some military use, such as in chainshot, barshot, etc lacking some components, but without a maritime provenance, this is just guesswork.

1st March 2025, 06:29 PM	#2
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 260	They were probably used as weights but might have begun life as a cannonball. Do the holes look cast or drilled? I was sobered to learn that they use iron balls in gizmos to crush rock.

2nd March 2025, 12:50 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	Ed brought up a good point indeed. Many so-called 'cannon balls' are actually mill balls used in tumblers to crush rocks into gravel. Then again, there are other suspects, like counter-weights, shot-puts, flag staff ends, iron rail ends, etc.

2nd March 2025, 07:37 PM	#6
cel7 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 157	Thank you all for your comments! Unfortunately no cannonballs then, although they were advertised as such by the auction. I have since sent them an email to point out their mistake.

5th March 2025, 07:35 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	Will M, I remember that great 'broad arrow' marked piece! I'm envious! Rick, that is a great shell cannonball! It would be heavier if it were full of powder and small shot! I'm no expert on these and as these types have been around as early as the mid-17th up to the mid-19th and used throughout Europe and here in the U.S, someone more knowledgeable than me would have to wager an educated guess. cel7, sorry for the bad news-