Lead Blob: Modern or Not?

[Pete E]

Was out earlier today with the Nox and was having a lead day..It started with a Victorian bag seal, then a lead pot mend, a musket ball, a net weight, a number of .22 bullets and finally the lead item below...

Initially I thought I had found a canon ball, but then it dawned on me it was lead, and what looked like the remains of a sprue was in fact the remains of an iron suspension loop. I haven't measured the ball but I reckon it's about 4" to 5" in diameter and weighs 6 1/2lb exactly..There are no markings or stamps on it anywhere...I should add all the lead comes out of this ground with a white patina, even stuff datable to as late as the end of the 1800's

I am therefore thinking it's a steelyard weight and probably modern???

[figgis]

If it's an iron suspension loop, Pete, it's probably a weight and possibly not modern. What does it weigh?

[Pete E]

If it's an iron suspension loop, Pete, it's probably a weight and possibly not modern. What does it weigh?

Bang on 6 1/2lb...the iron goes all the way through as if it were cast in place and you can see the mould was in two halves from the seam..the texture and finish of the surface shows no real signs of wear, weathering or corrosion which is why I feel it's not likely to be too old??

[Easylife]

Maybe a counter balance weight?

[Allectus]

Half a stone trade weight? 6 1/2lb plus 8oz for the missing iron loop would = 7lb.

A

[Pete E]

I have had a measure and it is 3 5/8" in diameter, which seems an odd dimension but I suppose the weight is the important part, and that is just the size needed to get the weight required.. I'll put some better photos up tomorrow....