Musket Ball - Is it possible to estimate a date?

[talesofthesevenseas]

Hey Oceans64, I thought you might like to know that I just got the newsletter for the Guilford Historical Society, and Wilma is going to be presenting your musket ball/cannon shot at their November meeting and telling the story about it! 

[hosman321]

That's awesome tales, thanks for the update! Props again to oceans64!

[mariok54]

Well done indeed, Oceans. If more people thought like you then maybe even the Greeks would have had their marbles returned years ago

[jondar]

Intriguing!  I found one of these cast iron "balls" at the site of a Civil War battle.  It is larger, about an inch and a quarter, this appears to be about 7/8".  True grape shot were pretty large, approaching two inches and used primarily in naval cannons, the heavy ball being able to penetrate the wooden hulls of warships of that era.  Far be it from me to dissent with the Historical Society's definition and they are probably right, but had I found this I would think I had found a cannister shot.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Actually the definition came from here rather than the historical society. The interesting thing is that there were no Civil War battles fought there so it appears to date to the Rev War.

I just think it's incredibly cool the way it found it's way back home again. Like something from a novel.

[KC]

Impressive Oceans!  Impressed with your willingness to give it to the historical society!!!!!!  A piece of history revealed, returned and re-birthed!!!

[Oceans64]

I hope when word gets around more people will come forward with other finds!!  Hard to know where it came from but prob Rev War Era.  The land belonged to the Oneida Indians who were at the Battle of Oriskany in support of the Americans. They were at others too. Oriskany has been called the bloodiest of the Rev War and took place about 65 miles North of Guilford (maybe 55ish miles from where the ball was found).

Could have been from a smaller battle, training exercise, renactment...  Glad it's home tho

[talesofthesevenseas]

No it couldn't have been for a reenactment. Live rounds are never used or you'd end up with a bunch of dead reenactors. It's gunpowder without the shot. But an exercise, training, skirmish, showing little Johnny how to sink a piece of round shot right into a tree... all good possibilities! 

[Oceans64]

HA HA!!  Agree - Not the reenactments of today... More like showing Johnny in 1805 how it was done in "the old days"