Is this a shell?

[imazephed]

I found this digging as a child in the woods behind my house. I have always wondered what it could be. I dont think it could be a shell as there is no fuse but it sure does look similar. Thanks for any info.

[PCGeorge]

Sorry to have to tell you, the item is not an artillery projectile nor any part of one.

Back in the late-1970s, my co-author on the civil war artillery projectiles book, Tom Dickey, had a literal pile of that item in his backyard, because people kept bringing them to him thinking they were a civil war artillery item (and then abandoning them when given the bad news). Tom felt they were some kind of machinery-part. Despite doing a good deal of research on them since then, I have been unable to discover "specifically" what they were used for. But I am quite certain they are not an Artillery item. For one thing, their very short cylindrical body is much too short to perform properly as a Rifled Artillery projectile. For another, keep in mind that they are solid (not hollow for containing an explosive charge). Also, keep in mind that, if they were an artillery projectile, like, let's say, a Solid-Shot cannonball, every one of them would be a "dud." Since they do not explode, if they are an artillery projectile, a good number should get found on battlefields (such as, impacted into the outer face of a cannon-emplacement or other fortification). But of the hundreds which have been found, very nearly none have been dug on a battlefield. In actual fact, they most frequently are found on Ebay ...in "non-excavated" condition.

Regards,
Pete [P.C. George]

[imazephed]

Pete

Thanks for taking the time to pass along your information. I have had this thing hanging around since 82. I dug it in woods next to my home in an area that had never been built on at the time. It was several feet below the surface. I knew there was very little chance it was a shell as you said it is solid. I would really love to know what it is though. If you have seen that many it seems that someone would know what it was used for. There has to be an explanation out there somewhere. Not knowing is the worst part. Thanks again so much.

Jason

[Wolfsburg]

That's really odd that these are found in some numbers but their purpose remains unknown. Maybe they were used as anchors for something?