Help With Identifying Cannon Balls - FIREARMS - U.S. Militaria Forum

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Help with identifying cannon balls

By bheskett, August 13, 2014 in FIREARMS

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bheskett

Posted August 13, 2014

bheskett

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Posted August 13, 2014

Me again needing more help with an ID. Here at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, MI we have been given two of these iron balls. They measure 4.2 inches in diameter and weigh 9 lbs. 4.6 oz.. British artillery was used during the battle which took place January 18-23 1813 at the Battlefield. We are trying to pinpoint just what these things are. The local cannon guys say they are not cannonballs but something used in industry, this area had heavy industry at one time. I can find no marking on them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The artillery Museum could not find anything but I would like a second opinion before we simply say they are not.

 

Thanks Bob

 

 

Jba1973

Posted August 13, 2014

Jba1973

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• #2  

Posted August 13, 2014

Just on first glance I would say this is a mill or mixing ball. The flat spots tend to point to that.

bheskett

Posted August 13, 2014

bheskett

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Posted August 13, 2014

What is a mill or mixing ball? I am not throwing stones I just have no isea what they are.

 

Thanks

Bob

ludwigh1980

Posted August 14, 2014

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Posted August 14, 2014

Iron balls like these were and still used by "ball mills" to crush mined ore. A large drum is filled with ore and iron balls and then tumbled to pulverize the ore to powder (part of the reduction/ refining process). Here in Colorado a lot of these are mistaken as "cannon balls" , however most are left over from the mining days.

Patriot

Posted August 14, 2014

Patriot

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Posted August 14, 2014

I agree - this is not a cannon ball. Cannonballs were perfectly round, and the weight or diameter should correspond with a 18th/19th century artillery table for proper identification. More than likely, the artillery experts that you mentioned consulted one of these tables, and were unable to find a match. Sometimes it's as simple as that.

bheskett

Posted August 14, 2014

bheskett

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Posted August 14, 2014

Would these be used in the mining of limestone as well? Also where can we find one of these artillery tables?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Bob

bayonetman

Posted August 14, 2014

bayonetman

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Posted August 14, 2014

Also where can we find one of these artillery tables?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Bob

Hopefully this site will answer the questions as to ball size / weight for the various cannon.

 

http://www.civilwarartillery.com/shottables.htm

 

I highly doubt that the ball in question (if it even was a cannonball) would have been used at River Raisin due to its size. Mobile artillery in the War of 1812 was generally of a small size and something this large would have not been a field artillery size at that time - would have been in a fort or permanent emplacement. It does come close to the 9 pounder cannon in the chart, a little bit large in diameter but that might be a measuring error base on where you measure and how much buildup there might be due to rust, etc.

 

Caliber Designation Bore Diameter Ball Diameter Solid Shot Weight

9-Pounder 4.20 inches 4.10 inches 9.14 pounds

bheskett

Posted August 14, 2014

bheskett

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Posted August 14, 2014

Thanks for the link. This should answer future questions.

 

Bob

ccyooper

Posted August 17, 2014

ccyooper

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Posted August 17, 2014

Why don't you just call Matt Switlik, he lives in Monroe just a couple miles from the battlefield. He is a leading authority on US cannons and I expect their ammunition. Just google him or ask one of the Museum officials. However, he may be the person you have already talked to. From the pics I think the others are spot on.

 

Regards,

CC

bheskett

Posted August 17, 2014

bheskett

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Posted August 17, 2014

CC

 

Thanks I got his number from the battlefield Friday and he is on my list.

Bob

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