Double Bladed spring loaded Cannon Ball ?

[Gspragge]

Has anyone seen the likes of this before ?
(Not mine) Blades very sharp on one edge, no markings ~

 

[LEAFLET]

Might be used against the Sail of a Sailing schip at wartimes long ago.

 

[tigbrand]

As Leaflet says various types of projectiles were made for cutting rigging and sails. Have only seen them in museums.

 

[Gspragge]

I hope some one knows this one ~
For me I think this may be some ones Pattented idea which failed as I don't
see how one can be sure at all that the sharp edges of the blades will be facing forwards ?
This thing could be very erratic I think ~

 

[JOHN LANDON]

Navy used to cut ships rigging

 

[Gspragge]

Whose Navy ? Fired from a smaller calibre gun or perhaps a bundle of them from a larger piece ?

 

[Dronic69]

May be of interest........ comes under the "chainshot" definition. which is a 'family' of unique items, used for the purposes of dismantling a ship's movement.
The illustrated one is dated 16th C - your one would be latter IMHO.
Very nice example - if genuine - a very rare Museum quality specimen indeed.

 

[Dronic69]

I hope some one knows this one ~
For me I think this may be some ones Pattented idea which failed as I don't
see how one can be sure at all that the sharp edges of the blades will be facing forwards ?
This thing could be very erratic I think ~

Most types of chain /bar shots were only fired at close ranges due to the obvious erratic aerodynamic behaviour as you have already highlighted - however quite effective!

 

[Gspragge]

Thanks, Looks like an idea that likely repeated over time -

 

[JOHN LANDON]

The much missed Artillery Regimental museum in the Rotunda at Woolwich used to display a magnificent collection of "round shot" which included many devices for removing ships rigging.Various sizes of chain and double bladed were on show .There are contemporary accounts from Trafalgar and others period actions that make mention of the whirrling sounds made by these devices when fired at French ships

 

[AMMOTECHXT]

The then Army School of Ammo in the 1980s had a museum and one of the exhibits was similar to your item, except the three pieces of metal that were deployed from the cannonball were much thicker. Their purpose was to cut through the mast of a sailing ship.