Help, found this in my front yard

[SoCalLisa]

Does anyone know what this is? It was buried about 5 inches deep, solid round ball, appears to be all copper. I took a cloth tape measure and it measured 6.5 inches around. Has anyone ever found one of these before?

 

[dave5710]

Could it have been attached to a fence or gate at one time? Or part of a weather vane?

 

[flash5153]

When you say "solid" do you mean ,,it is not hollow? If truely solid it must be pretty heavy.

Any odd marks, indents on it? Looks like there is a seam from the pic.

 

[dave5710]

"6.5 inches around" divided by pi. would be about 2" diameter. So it is bigger than a golf ball, but smaller than a tennis ball. Being copper makes me think that it is ornamental.

 

[SoCalLisa]

It is the size of a racket ball, and yes it is solid, and pretty heavy for it's size. No signs of a place where it would attach to a fence post or weather vane. Just a round solid copper ball the size of a racket ball??? I have never seen anything like it.

 

[Nancy-IL]

Hmm, that's a strange one. Nancy

 

[UWLocator]

Could it be brass or bronze instead of copper?

If so, it could be a shot put ball depending on age.

If from the 1800's it could be from canister shot which was common in two, four, eight and 16 oz configurations of brass.

If it is copper, it could be from canister shot or grape shot depending on the weight. Copper was not as common as brass for this use however.

This site has info on some of the canister shot and grape shot recovered at a couple of sites.

HH,
Rip

 

[SoCalLisa]

I'm no expert, but pretty sure it is copper. Also, it has a line going around it that looks like a mold mark.

 

[thepest]

i agree with uwlocator....
i think it's some sort of small canon round.... it's a bit too large to be a ball bearing.... unless it was under a huge gun torret of some sort..... i'd go back and poke around some more.... and see if i could find anymore in mine and my neighbors yards.... that would help paint a picture.... either way..... it's a cool find

 

[flash5153]

I think it has to do with the landing in roswald years ago, area 51.

It is pretty cool, wish I could find one. lol

 

[binky]

just a lead weight they used on old fasion lobster pots!

 

[edjcox]

It is likely a ball from the bottom element of Copper Lghtning rod. The seam is from the hemisphere joining. Should hve joint top and bottom for the spike and mounting shaft...

That's my story and I'm stickin to it...

 

[bentley1989]

Ebay LinkThey came from Michigan because of the copper mines there.How it came to be buried in your yard I have not a clue,Barry.Oh,click on the link,There is one on sell on Ebay.$26.

 

[dave5710]

Good job, Bentley. Kristen Gum did a show on the copper fields of northern Michigan. They poured melted copper onto a flat surface, to make artwork, and they cut large raw pieces in half to make bookends. I don't see the appeal of the round ball. JMO.

 

[edjcox]

Simply google copper balls and see what you get. Suspect it's ornamental.