Cannonball question

P14 · 3rd April 2019, 06:57 PM

Many thanks

I got a chance to have a look in an old museum collection today and found another 6 pounder and a 24 pounder, each ball with a similar stud (1st attached image of the museum’s 6 pounder, 2nd the 24 Pounder). Sadly, no further info available. What are the odds of the museum also having such similar balls?

Fernando, thank you for the image. The studs must be part of the manufacture process. It vaguely looks like the mould seam runs around the balls’ circumference, 90 from the stud but it’s hard to tell. The stud is very solid and sprue-like, roughly 1/2" wide. M ELEY, all of those are ideas seem quite plausible the 3 1/2 ”-ish ball with the stud weighs 2707g, I also have a known 6-Pdr wreck recovered ball which weighs roughly 2300g so maybe the stud one is filled with bronze? There is only 1 stud, same with the examples in the museum.
Also attached is an image of some bar shots acquired at a similar time.

fernando · 4th April 2019, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P14

... Also attached is an image of some bar shots acquired at a similar time.

How i envy those. Still missing one in my ammo collection. If you happen to have one too many for spare, just let me know

.

CSinTX · 4th April 2019, 02:45 PM

If it is filled with lead grape shot leaving some void area, the resulting density might be similar to if it were solid steel. Or maybe it is a cannon ball but a replica just made to look like it is hollow.

Google images ,cannon ball plug hole, cannon ball wooden fuse, etc and you'll see other examples that look like yours. Click the images and many will lead to further discussion. Apparently one hole was a fill hole and one hole was a fuse hole that was kept plugged until use.

fernando · 5th April 2019, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSinTX

If it is filled with lead grape shot leaving some void area, the resulting density might be similar to if it were solid steel...

Isn't grape shot bagged or canned in thin containers ... to disperse as it leaves the cannon ? a thick solid ball wouldn't burst to release the spheres.

Will M · 5th April 2019, 11:01 PM

As CSinTX suggests is spherical shrapnel, cannon balls with smaller balls inside with a charge to burst. http://thepirateking.com/historical/...rojectiles.htm

fernando · 6th April 2019, 03:29 PM

I see the point, Will.
In this case the improved shrapnel version, the so called Boxer's diaphragm shell, with an opening for the explosive load and another for the fuse, as also approached by CSinTX. This would date the discussed examples from around mid XIX century.
One way or another, considering their weight and the looks that their plugs are still sealed, could they still be loaded ?

,

Will M · 6th April 2019, 04:56 PM

Unlikely the cannon ball is still with a charge but you cannot know without disassembly. Being so old any powder should have degraded.
With guidelines of the day followed these type cannon balls should not have a charge.

3rd April 2019, 06:57 PM	#1
P14 Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: UK Posts: 7	Many thanks I got a chance to have a look in an old museum collection today and found another 6 pounder and a 24 pounder, each ball with a similar stud (1st attached image of the museum’s 6 pounder, 2nd the 24 Pounder). Sadly, no further info available. What are the odds of the museum also having such similar balls? Fernando, thank you for the image. The studs must be part of the manufacture process. It vaguely looks like the mould seam runs around the balls’ circumference, 90 from the stud but it’s hard to tell. The stud is very solid and sprue-like, roughly 1/2" wide. M ELEY, all of those are ideas seem quite plausible the 3 1/2 ”-ish ball with the stud weighs 2707g, I also have a known 6-Pdr wreck recovered ball which weighs roughly 2300g so maybe the stud one is filled with bronze? There is only 1 stud, same with the examples in the museum. Also attached is an image of some bar shots acquired at a similar time. Attached Images

4th April 2019, 02:45 PM	#3
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	If it is filled with lead grape shot leaving some void area, the resulting density might be similar to if it were solid steel. Or maybe it is a cannon ball but a replica just made to look like it is hollow. Google images ,cannon ball plug hole, cannon ball wooden fuse, etc and you'll see other examples that look like yours. Click the images and many will lead to further discussion. Apparently one hole was a fill hole and one hole was a fuse hole that was kept plugged until use. Last edited by CSinTX; 4th April 2019 at 02:59 PM.

6th April 2019, 03:29 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	I see the point, Will. In this case the improved shrapnel version, the so called Boxer's diaphragm shell, with an opening for the explosive load and another for the fuse, as also approached by CSinTX. This would date the discussed examples from around mid XIX century. One way or another, considering their weight and the looks that their plugs are still sealed, could they still be loaded ? , Attached Images

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5th April 2019, 11:01 PM	#5
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	As CSinTX suggests is spherical shrapnel, cannon balls with smaller balls inside with a charge to burst. http://thepirateking.com/historical/...rojectiles.htm

6th April 2019, 04:56 PM	#7
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	Unlikely the cannon ball is still with a charge but you cannot know without disassembly. Being so old any powder should have degraded. With guidelines of the day followed these type cannon balls should not have a charge.