stone cannon ball

[dobber1919a4]

a friend of mine just called me and said he has found a stone cannon ball that is about 2.75". He is wanting to know what cannon or mortar it might have been fired out of. any ideas?

[GGaskill]

If he found it in North America, it is probably something else as I doubt there were many small bore stone throwers used here.

What was the general area he found it in? 

[The Jeff]

What was the general area he found it in?

Downrange from the Mythbuster's abandoned runway. 

[Cat Whisperer]

Dobber -

WELCOME to the forum!

I agree - just because it's a sphere doesn't mean it's a cannon ball.

BUT when you have the addiction EVERYTHING you look at is seriously considered for it's properties as a projectile.

What do you like to shoot?

[rampa room artillery]

i know of at least one that has been found here in va along the water officially dated 1500's  theory is that they were used as ballast in ships coming to the colonys.  i have held the ball in my hand and seen the paperwork from the smithsonion. so yes depend on where it was found. and conditions found 

[Cat Whisperer]

Good point Rick - you've rasied the issue of AGE as well as FUNCTION.

How would one establish either?

Comparison to known others is a start.

[Artilleryman]

I believe that the Spanish had at least one stone mortar in Florida.  I can't imagine why they would go to the trouble of making round stones for it.

[Max Caliber]

May be a kidney stone from an Apatosaurus. 

[IvarForkbeard]

I believe that the Spanish had at least one stone mortar in Florida.  I can't imagine why they would go to the trouble of making round stones for it.

Because labor was cheap and iron expensive.

[phsarge]

I know my neighbor has some of what they call out here as " Missouri River cannonballs". They are perfectly round like a cannon ball and can be found along the Missouri river. Not sure how the are made but they are pretty heavy. Will have to see if I can get over to his place and take a picture.
PHsarge

[Artilleryman]

I believe that the Spanish had at least one stone mortar in Florida.  I can't imagine why they would go to the trouble of making round stones for it.

Because labor was cheap and iron expensive.

I figured that someone would go out and collect the size stone needed and not worry too much about the shape.

[PaulB]

I have one that was supposedly picked up outside Tutbury castle in England. Tutbury castle was in use from the 12th century until it fell during the second siege on it during the English civil war in the 17th century. Is it real? Who knows but I like to think it is.
The ball is just under 2" which would have made it shot for a Falconette.
Paul

[BBF]

To this very day you can see stone cannon balls embedded into the outer wall of Fortress Coburg. They are well more then 2 inchers

[shred]

To this very day you can see stone cannon balls embedded into the outer wall of Fortress Coburg. They are well more then 2 inchers

The stone cannon balls stuck in the walls at Rhodes are likewise much larger-- 20+ inches.  They date from the bombard era, so presumably cannon technology plays a part.

[Cannoneer]

I believe that the Spanish had at least one stone mortar in Florida.  I can't imagine why they would go to the trouble of making round stones for it.

Because labor was cheap and iron expensive.

I figured that someone would go out and collect the size stone needed and not worry too much about the shape.

Large bore stone mortars fired a natural version of grape shot in a high arc. These stones would have been used as found, and they were probably around the size of a fist. The stones were placed in a woven basket, and the basket lowered down the bore. The U.S. even had a couple made; one bronze 16-inch M1839 stone mortar survives at West Point.
If the 2.75-inch stone ball is indeed carved stone shot, then in all probability it was made to be fired from a 'cannon'.