Any ideas what this is, please?

[EddieB]

Digging up a shallow concrete path in the back garden, I came across this object just below the thin concrete layer.

 

It's an iron ball, four inches in diameter.  Appears to be solid, as it's quite heavy.  It's not clear whether a protrusion at the "top" is part of it, or just some concrete remaining attached.

 

What can it be?  One suggestion is a cannon ball - but how would one end up being used as hardcore in a suburban garden (London/Essex)?  My first thought was an UXB, but would that match the size and composition?

 

[Enterprisingwestern]

If it's solid that would rule out the usual suspect of a Citroen suspension sphere!

 

Mike.

[TheQ]

If it was hollow, I'd say it's an old type fishing net float, Still might be if it's leaked and filled up with water..

 

Old ones were metal, Modern ones are made of plastic..

Edited July 29, 2020 by TheQ

[Tankerman]

If the protrusion at the top is partly broken away it could be the sliding weight from a Steelyard which was, maybe still is, a steel bar which was pivoted at an unequal length. An item to be weighed was attached to the shorter end and a weight slid along the bar, which was marked with weigh values, until balance was obtained. This then provided the weight of the item.

[simontaylor484]

Looks like a counterweight of some description. Is that a moulding line im the middle running top to bottom?

[gordon s]

Reminded me of the weight off a fly press....

 

https://norfolkreclamation.co.uk/stock/architectural/industrial/industrial-cast-iron-no-6-machinists-fly-press.html

 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=industrial+fly+press&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjW6rnz5vLqAhVIgM4BHeorAacQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=industrial+fly+press&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECAAQQzoFCAAQsQM6AggAOgQIABAeOgYIABAFEB46BggAEAoQGDoGCAAQCBAeOgQIABAYUIS5AViChgJgmokCaANwAHgAgAFSiAG2CJIBAjIzmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=XZkhX5bILMiAur4P6teEuAo&bih=992&biw=1511

Edited July 29, 2020 by gordon s

[Nearholmer]

I thought that, but a fly-press “bob” has a hole (square?) through it.

 

Do drift nets need to be weighted?

 

Or a sack-hoist counterweight?

Edited July 29, 2020 by Nearholmer

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Take it the Museum of London, ask if they will inspect one of your balls, and then pop it on the counter.

[stewartingram]

If you turn it over (carefully!) does it have BOMB written on it?

[Enterprisingwestern]

9 hours ago, stewartingram said:

If you turn it over (carefully!) does it have BOMB written on it?

 

, or Bermb?

 

Mike.

[duncan]

If it is very heavy, could be a lump of uranium, if so MI5 might be interested  

[The Johnster]

On 29/07/2020 at 13:39, EddieB said:

Digging up a shallow concrete path in the back garden, I came across this object just below the thin concrete layer.

 

It's an iron ball, four inches in diameter.  Appears to be solid, as it's quite heavy.  It's not clear whether a protrusion at the "top" is part of it, or just some concrete remaining attached.

 

What can it be?  One suggestion is a cannon ball - but how would one end up being used as hardcore in a suburban garden (London/Essex)?  My first thought was an UXB, but would that match the size and composition?

 

It’s one of those. 
 

My vote is for fishing net float, with cast protrusion to hold the net. 

[simontaylor484]

It's a device to keep my wallet in my pocket 

 

As a Yorkshire man i am a little on the thrifty side