Cannon Ball ???

hi guys. I wasnt sure where to go with this, but I recently found a heavy ball in the mountains while deer hunting. It is 5.4" in diameter and weighs right at 25 lbs. Its rusted so i was unable to see any markings or anything. Could ths be a cannonball. I found it in southern west virginia if that helps any.

thanks in advance!

warning!!!! Cannon balls may contain black powder.If sparks or fire are close by it will explode and send shrapnal killing every living thing in its sight

this is around the right diameter and weight(5.68"and 24.3 lbs) to be a solid shot for a 24 pounder howitzer. solid shot was rarely used in a howitzer though. If it is solid shot it would of course contain no powder

(I sure wouldn't bet my life on it though!)

So until you find out for sure don't beat on it with a hammer or throw it in a fire!

Try to find a collector of WBTS ordinance to look at it and see what you have.

It occurred to me that this could be a solid shot for a 24 pounder siege type gun. the 24 lb. howitzer was the heaviest field piece used in the WBTS and normally fired shell or canister but solid shot would have been more commonly used in a siege gun.

Were there any fortifications in the area where you found the ball?

I also found a cannon ball.It is about 6 inches in diamater an it wieghs about 20 pounds.It has pits in the metal.It was buried in the ground in pennsulvania.Does any one know where to take it to get checked out to see if it has gun powder?