Revolutionary War Hollow Cannon Ball or Grenade?

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craigsig

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I am trying to identify these objects. They are 2-3/4" and hollow. Great brown patina. I have other 2-3/4" cannon balls from the RW era and they are much heavier. They are not perfectly round. They appears to be a 2 halves "blacksmithed" together. There are also some grape shot size balls but they are lighter than others too. One is in half so you are able to see the inside.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance, Craig.
 

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I am not an expert, but to quote PC Pete (accurately, I hope) "if it is not round, and not smooth, it is not a cannonball". That is what he told me about my Hudson Bay cannon ball from Ft. Prince of Wales, Churchill, Canada. His explanation makes sense. Too much power lost if it isn't tight. My ball is the same size as yours m/l, and has a "band" around the middle of it and a flat spot with file marks(?) on it.. Although it didn't cost me too much, I would like to go to Churchill and punch the guy in the nose, except that it takes 2 years to get there, and the locals would probably tie me up and leave me for the bears.
 
Thanks. I agree with what you are saying. I just have no idea what they could be. They definitely seem old. They appear to be the right size for a blacksmith created grenade-type object. Especially being hollow and all with what appears to be a nipple (fuse?). No clue, not sure if that type object even exists. Got them cheap so it's not a real lose.
 
Almost could be what a "bomb-throwing anarchist" would make up. I suppose that wouldn't have to be round, just deadly. The precursor to the pipe bomb. I am amazed at how brittle cast iron is. It is easy to "blow up". And my apologies, it was PC George that enlightened me. At least, I think it was. I am getting old and ......what ever that other word is.
 
I may have found out what these are. On my latest trip to Gettysburg I saw what they called ceramic Confederate canister shot. Supposidly, the South was short of lead towards the end of the war and started to use ceramic shot. Not able to verify but if so, these appear to be the same. All thoughts, comments are welcom. Thanks
 
Hello,

I think PC George will agree with this statement. There were no ceramic canister, grape or cannon balls used in the civil war.

Some years ago some round light balls were being offered I believe on eBay I believe as French ceramic canister shot that were glazed over with a lead coating found in or near a creek of which I forget the name of near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

I have seen clay marbles but no ceramic canister, grape shot nor cannon balls.

Tom Stelma
 
They are much lighter than other grape shot I have and don't have the same sound if "clanked" together. They have the same feel as the ceramic shot I handled in Gettysburg. Also, the oustide is on the "shiney" side compared to the more metallic look of the lead shot.
 
I had always heard of Ceramic shot being used by the South and a friend of mine found some diving the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, Tn. I also dug one while digging out a bullet here in Bridgeport, Al. It is the size of a grape shot. If they were not used in the war what do you think they were used for?
 
I wanted to add too these are Ceramic and not coated with lead. Looks like the same stuff a cue ball is made out of, but not the same size.
 
THis conversation really took a left turn, but I would like to add my penny and a half to it. I have been in an antique store where the guy says he has ceramic case shot. They were the same size (most were "case shot" size, some were cannister size) as the "Olympic" marbles I purchased. For those not familiar with the story: A guy from Tennesse was digging for construction for the olympics in Atlanta, and according to his story, found a cistern with thousands of ceramic marbles that may have predated CW. You have maybe seen them, usually bright colors, and a guy on ebay always offers them with camp junk he finds. I ended up buying 3000 of these from the man, and sold and wholesaled them. Some had stars on them (more on that later, if anyone is interested). I broke a couple of them open, and a "knowledgeable" person said they were defiantely porcelin, as compared to clay in the blue and brown "benningtons". The difference in weight is remarkable. My suspicions are that the guy found all these marbles, colored them, and made a little money. But I suppose the real question is, why were they there? Were they actually marbles, or were they in a holding cistern at or near an ordinance factory? And if they were never used in ordinance, then is the original story of a pre war Atlanta marble factory real? Could lead have been in that short of supply, as well as iron or even nails that porcelin may have been used? Too much thinking, my head hurts. More thoughts on this are appreciated, and photos can be available if wanted. Cheers!
 
There is or was a marble quarry north of Alanta. I drove through the little town back when I was driving a 18 wheeler. I cannot remember the name of the little town? All I can remember there was alot of marble on the old buildings in the town.
 
Hello. My guess is the town your looking for a name to is Tate, Ga. A lot of high quality marble is from there with much of Washington built from it.
 
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