Cannon Bar Shot

[artyfacts]

Finding cannon "bar shot" was a total surprise. When I first picked it up I thought, that's the craziest door knob. It took a few seconds for my memory to click in, might as well have been pure gold when it did, rays of light shooting out of it, swear I saw a halo too. Still riding the excitement. The bar shot is 10 inches long and has a diameter of 3 inches, it weighs 3 lbs., 13 ounces. I just started the cleaning process getting it ready for annealing to knock off the rest of the scabby scale. I had thoughts of straightening it out but it has grown on me, it has that game used look to it with the bend in the bar. When I look at the picture of bar shot on the Museum of the American Revolution web site it looks so pristine, still, a beautiful untouched bench warmer. My bent rusted shot screams action. Leave it be or straighten it. What do you think?
https://www.amrevmuseum.org › collection › bar-shot-chain-shot-and-cannonball

The many smalls that filled my paper plate were spread far and wide. My favorite is the King George the III trade weight, my first that is marked from over the pond. Most of the coins were very deep, the ground has very bad drainage that resulted in the coins being almost wiped, a Large Cent, Liberty Cap. Buttons including a general service. A crushed silver spoon bowl with a makers mark of S. P. The gray musket flint stuck out like a soar thumb against the dark ground. Play money depicting, Buffalo Bill from Mazuma gum boxes 1934.

 

[Diggerjonny]

You did really well! Congratulations on some amazing finds!!!

 

[JCR]

That’s some interesting old there for sure.

 

[Fishincontrol]

That bar shot is a great piece of history!!! Congrats...do not straighten.

 

[artyfacts]

That bar shot is a great piece of history!!! Congrats...do not straighten.

Thank you, it will stay as found.

 

[LovestheShiny!]

Wow... never heard of such a thing, what a cool find!

 

[MasonDixonMding]

Good work

 

[metaladdict]

That's a weird find!

 

[artyfacts]

Looking sweet. Halfway to completion. Has to be annealed, soaked in a combination of citric acid and disodium EDTA with water for a few days. Final cleaning, than into a hot bath of wax, and brushed.

 

[artyfacts]

Still peening the hidden rusted scabs off of the cannon shot. After inspecting the square bar I have determined that the tractors plow has ridden this more times than a wide eyed doe in November. The main two plow strikes left their narrow blade marks on the bar at the two crucial bends, so much for game used action. Whether this was a porch memento or deemed a perfect gate weight, it now cannot remain bent knowing that it has been used by the plow. To the forge it goes...

 

[artyfacts]

The restoration is now complete. After weeks of peening, the blacksmiths hammer, the hammer was made from hard maple, I guess you could say he put the wood to it, soaked for two days, wire brushes, diamond coated bits, baking soda blasting, iron bluing, and to finish it off brushed filtered wax with a cherry on top. I need a vacation. I know the damage on the bar shot was caused by the plow 100% so I had it partially straightened for display, I feel it was worth it. While I was at it I included my grapeshot and the old key for restoration. These will be going to the Cold Spring Village museum here in Cape May County. Hopefully they will be on display for our 250th anniversary. Happy 4th of July to everyone, may the detecting force be with you.

 

[Fredneck]

Fantastic finds !! ... especially the bar shot. Great that you shared it with the museum for viewing.