Hi Chris - I have defused and conserved a number of Civil War shot. You 
might contact Jim Legg at the SC Institute of Arch and Anthro for 
advice. DO NOT destroy this artifact! But don't try to drill through the 
body or beat on it wait a hammer! Carl


On 3/15/2017 10:56 AM, Chris Garst wrote:
> Good Morning all:
> In our collections we have a 6#  cannon ball that still has its fuse.  
> We suspect it is still filled with gunpowder also. It was recovered 
> during a metal detector survey last fall and may date to the Civil War 
> era.  We have been getting mixed messages regarding the safety of 
> having such an item in our collection.  Does anyone know about the 
> safety and stability of such an item?
> Thank you
> Chris Garst
> Kansas Historical Society