Another bomb disposal issue
Discussion
Was out metal detecting at the weekend and dug up a small iron cannonball. It weighs almost 3 pounds and is 7 cm in diameter. Took it home, cleaned it up, and here it is:
That circular indentation appeared after I cleaned the dirt and surface rust off.
Looks a bit suspicious now, any PHers familiar with old explosive-filled cannonballs?
Time to get rid of it?
That circular indentation appeared after I cleaned the dirt and surface rust off.
Looks a bit suspicious now, any PHers familiar with old explosive-filled cannonballs?
Time to get rid of it?
numtumfutunch said:
papa3 said:
ApOrbital said:
Hit it with a hammer 
But set up a camera first.Serious note though, if it's ~3lbs and ~7cm diameter, quick back of the envelope calculation suggests it's solid iron.
It's a good specimen, too. Where did you find it, near any civil war battlefields? O/T I have an absolute ton of lead shot from the civil war, battle of gloucester.
Wiccan of Darkness said:
...And the "Trust me, I know what I'm doing"....
Serious note though, if it's ~3lbs and ~7cm diameter, quick back of the envelope calculation suggests it's solid iron.
It's a good specimen, too. Where did you find it, near any civil war battlefields? O/T I have an absolute ton of lead shot from the civil war, battle of gloucester.
More precise measurements:Serious note though, if it's ~3lbs and ~7cm diameter, quick back of the envelope calculation suggests it's solid iron.
It's a good specimen, too. Where did you find it, near any civil war battlefields? O/T I have an absolute ton of lead shot from the civil war, battle of gloucester.
Volume = 200 cm3. (By measuring displacement of water in Pyrex jug).
Mass = 1,396g
Density therefore is 6.53g /cm3
Density of iron = 7.874 g/ cm3 (from google)
A solid iron ball of 200cm3 should therefore weigh 1,574.8g
Missing mass = 268g
How much damage can 268g / 10 ounces of black powder do?
Edited by Ayahuasca on Monday 11th December 17:35
Online research suggests it is US civil war era, filled with black powder and has a Bormann fuse. All seems intact, in good condition and ready to 'function as intended' as someone said.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
Ayahuasca said:
Online research suggests it is US civil war era, filled with black powder and has a Bormann fuse. All seems intact, in good condition and ready to 'function as intended' as someone said.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/deansgate-locks-cordoned-bomb-disposal-14024674Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
mickmcpaddy said:
Ayahuasca said:
Online research suggests it is US civil war era, filled with black powder and has a Bormann fuse. All seems intact, in good condition and ready to 'function as intended' as someone said.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/deansgate-locks-cordoned-bomb-disposal-14024674Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
Ayahuasca said:
Online research suggests it is US civil war era, filled with black powder and has a Bormann fuse. All seems intact, in good condition and ready to 'function as intended' as someone said.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
The biggest artillery battle of the American Civil War was fought in July 1862 at Malvern Hill VA, between the 33 batteries of artillery of George McClennan’s Union army, and the 12-14 batteries of Robert E. Lee’s Confederates, plus infantry on both sides.Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
The Union won, losing 3000 casualties to the South’s 5600, if the North had a cannon that could fire balls all the way to be eventually found in England, then it’s no wonder that they won the war!
Frank7 said:
Ayahuasca said:
Online research suggests it is US civil war era, filled with black powder and has a Bormann fuse. All seems intact, in good condition and ready to 'function as intended' as someone said.
Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
The biggest artillery battle of the American Civil War was fought in July 1862 at Malvern Hill VA, between the 33 batteries of artillery of George McClennan’s Union army, and the 12-14 batteries of Robert E. Lee’s Confederates, plus infantry on both sides.Wife was very unhappy having it in our apartment and called me some names.
No bomb squad in these parts.
So I wrapped it in a towel, put it in a bag, and dropped it from a bridge into a deep river.
The Union won, losing 3000 casualties to the South’s 5600, if the North had a cannon that could fire balls all the way to be eventually found in England, then it’s no wonder that they won the war!
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