A Very Rare Brunswick Iron-slag Cannon Ball Dated 1575

fernando · 3rd June 2016, 12:21 PM

So ...

http://www.nationalslag.org/slag-history

fernando · 3rd June 2016, 01:30 PM

Interesting source:

http://www.ppmpuremetals.de/company/history/

Ed · 3rd July 2016, 02:33 AM

I wonder about the slag part. The cannon in question were rifled so that impurities that changed the cross sectional weight distribution would not be "averaged out" during flight. That would lead to erratic flight.

I would think that the purest of pure material would have been sought after for producing these critters.

I have participated in cannon shoots at Camp Grayling in Michigan, USA where very serious guys shoot black powder cannon. My son was on a team for an 8" siege mortar, unrifled, naturally. The team had their ammo numbered and would load it according to a mark so that it was always loaded the same way. Presumably to account for any impurities. Based on that observation, 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.

Picture shows the kid firing the mortar. Really amazing to experience that.

corrado26 · 3rd July 2016, 08:19 AM

a very interesting link on cannon balls for those who are able to understand German

http://kanonen-kugeln.de/kanonenkuge...3%BCtz-kugeln/

corrado26

fernando · 3rd July 2016, 04:27 PM

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.

corrado26 · 3rd July 2016, 06:25 PM

To Duke Julius the effectiveness of his cannon balls made of slag was well known. This slag of the cannon balls contained ca. 10% of heavy spar, 15 % of zinc and 10% sulphur. These ingredients avoided the natural healing process of wounds. The balls have been made with Diameters of 180, 94 and 74 mm and sold in great amounts to interested buyers.
Some years ago such balls in an amount of more than 1000 have been found during digging works.
corrado26

fernando · 3rd July 2016, 06:41 PM

Great input indeed, corrado

.
That info eliminates a couple ambiguities.
I will then infer that my example was part of such lot ... and will refine its diameter to 94 m/m.

.

3rd July 2016, 02:33 AM	#3
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 266	I wonder about the slag part. The cannon in question were rifled so that impurities that changed the cross sectional weight distribution would not be "averaged out" during flight. That would lead to erratic flight. I would think that the purest of pure material would have been sought after for producing these critters. I have participated in cannon shoots at Camp Grayling in Michigan, USA where very serious guys shoot black powder cannon. My son was on a team for an 8" siege mortar, unrifled, naturally. The team had their ammo numbered and would load it according to a mark so that it was always loaded the same way. Presumably to account for any impurities. Based on that observation, 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. Picture shows the kid firing the mortar. Really amazing to experience that. Attached Images

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3rd June 2016, 12:21 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	So ... http://www.nationalslag.org/slag-history

3rd June 2016, 01:30 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Interesting source: http://www.ppmpuremetals.de/company/history/

3rd July 2016, 08:19 AM	#4
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,237	a very interesting link on cannon balls for those who are able to understand German http://kanonen-kugeln.de/kanonenkuge...3%BCtz-kugeln/ corrado26

3rd July 2016, 06:25 PM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,237	To Duke Julius the effectiveness of his cannon balls made of slag was well known. This slag of the cannon balls contained ca. 10% of heavy spar, 15 % of zinc and 10% sulphur. These ingredients avoided the natural healing process of wounds. The balls have been made with Diameters of 180, 94 and 74 mm and sold in great amounts to interested buyers. Some years ago such balls in an amount of more than 1000 have been found during digging works. corrado26

3rd July 2016, 06:41 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Great input indeed, corrado . That info eliminates a couple ambiguities. I will then infer that my example was part of such lot ... and will refine its diameter to 94 m/m. .