Real Civil War Canister shot?

[Thor996]

Is this real CW canister shot? Are these solid or explosive? thanks in advance

 

[dhcoleterracina]

I don't think anything explosive was made this small but to be sure, look for a screw in fuse on any cannonball found. They say that the last casualty of the Civil War hasn't been born yet.

 

As to whether or not they are cannister shot...maybe. Cannister needed balls of equal size to be stacked and held with rings and top and bottom plates. Like a giant shotgun. Everything here looks like different sizes except the two smallest. Balls were also put in cannon balls for extra effect.

[mikie]

If they are Civil War cannister or shot, they are most likely solid and not explosive.  Different caliber ammunition used different size shot and cannister balls. During the Civil War, a variety of materials and production methods were also used, especially in the South.   You would need to get weight and diameter measurements as well as composition to help determine if they are possibly ammo or not.  

 

Mike

[Thor996]

thank you both.