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Old 3rd July 2016, 04:27 PM   #11
fernando
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed
I wonder about the slag part ... it seems unlikely to me that slag was used. Is there any documentary evidence to support the use of slag for making projectiles?
Fernando, you could allow us to cut one of your specimens in half so we can be sure...
I only have one of these ... and am too zealous to keep it entire .
I am not keen on ballistic dynamics, neither i am a shooter (army time sufficed). But i take it that, in 1575 cannons were not rifled (were they ?) and erratic trajectories would be in the daily menu.
However nothing avoids that these ammunitions were only cast as a token to commemorate the opening of the Duke's foundries.
That the example in discussion (and others of the same lot) is slag, i would have now doubts; you don't need to judge it by its general atypical aspect, as its weight speaks for itself, being significantly lighter than iron: 2056 grams for an approximate 10 cms. diameter.
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