Expert: Ralph Salier - 3/8/2011

Question
I have a cannonball found around 1957 approximate. around Fort McComb and fort Pike in New Orleans, LA. I have papers from the Smithsonian Institute and U.S. States Military Academy in  WestPoint, NY. The U S Army Dearming crews drilled 2 holes through a 7/8in. core through the cannonball to disarm it. I have black powdered samples. The weight of ball is 18 lbs. and is solid bronze partially hollow. 6 inches in diameter and has apparent hammer marks to form the shape or assisting in formation of the shape.  I cannot find any information on bronze cannonballs. My last request to Smithsonian and the U S Military was in 1959.  Any information you can give me would be appreciated. Is it worthy anything? What is the age? Thank you, Donn

Answer
Hi Donn,

I am happy that you had it disarmed.  It alarms me the number of people who have these darn things and don't think that it can still go off. They can and have.  

I will need photos of the ball, with a tape, ruler or something for scale and if it has markings (including the fuze) I'll need photos of these as well.  Is the weight of the ball at its current weight or pre drillling and black powder removal?  I suspect so.  A 6" diameter ball should weigh in at about 30 lbs. This size ball is called a Demi Cannon and would have been used on several types of 6 1/2" cannons.  These are a fairly common bore size and were made by the British, French, Russians, Germans and others, mostly for their ships at sea.  Markings may help me in identifying the origin of the munition but many have no markings what so ever.  Hammered marks or other damage may have been done by people after the fact but generally these would have a smooth outside having been cast into a smooth mould.

You may send the photos to me at rsalier@hotmail.com with cannon ball in the subject line.