Quick Cleaning Iron Civil War Relics From A Recent Adventure 

I love these archaeology style videos ! felt like I was right there with yah!

I never fail to learn something new from your videos. Thanks

learned more from you than all my 3 1/2 years of high school. thank you.

I am so thankful for your making these videos. I have learned so much about the Civil war i would never know without them.

It likes opening up a geode stone for the first time. You never know what you’re going to get, lol

Another great video.THanks Chigg

I think I know what the black sand is used for. My best guess is it balances the projectile in flight. We still use a similar technique to ballance big rig tires it works.

it sounds to me that the sand is to act the same way a dead blow hammer works very effective!

That was fun : )

great video thank u

Have you ever found a solid shot shell or a full cannon

So if all the iron is resolved in the dirt you can put it in a furnace an recover the metal to build a rack out of iron mash where you store the grapes that lost the iron... Good idea?

What are the legalities of owning these while non deactivated? I know with firearms any ammunition with an explosive charge within the projectile weighting more than .25 ounces is considered a destructive device meaning still legal to own requires a hefty background check taking about 9 months to process and requiring a $200 tax stamp... PER PROJECTILE.

Loved this video!

It's tannerite

Maybe they thought it would hit harder like a dead blow hammer

MAXWELL'S SILVER HAMMER......................Great reference, and yep shows our age Mr Beau! Brushy Brushy!

Beau, don't feel bad explaining the historical events. I love the stories, the way you tell them is very interesting. As a European who knows alot about WW1 and WW2 I love to hear about the Civil War from a fellow relic hunter, lol. Don't hesitate next time

Hey Chig! Thank you for the video. Great finds and a terrific presentation. If I had to make a guess at your sand, I'd say it is most likely from the casting process. Some probably stuck to the inner walls after it was pulled from the mold and eventualy it has fallen away. I bet if you had several shells to open up, you would be able to measure several, very different weights. Cheers!

If you were my history teacher I would of had an A+

The black sand was probably left over from the casting process and was used to create, as others have suggested, a "dead blow" effect. Makes sense considering the shell is pointed and looks to be designed to penetrate instead of explode.

Really loved this video... so interesting!! Please do more like it

Those things are like the acheology kid toys from dollar stores. Those with little stones or plastic dinosaurs inside. But those are for adults

Just once I would like to see him crack open a blob and find gold coins

Enjoyed all the info in this video. Thanks Beau

I believe the black sand inside the shell would be the equivalent of a dead blow hammer if the projectile is going forward once impacts the target the sand would also move forward in the shell and makes a solid impact it will not bounce off like a solid projectile for example take a regular hammer and hit a piece of Steel it will bounce take a dead blow hammer that's full of iron pellets you will hit the target and it will not bounce

You make great videos sir! I love history like you and I can watch this stuff all day

I found one too! Not sure if anyone is still reading these comments... Did you ever find out what the 'lead doohicky' is in this vid at 11:37??? I found one the other day and it rings up about 10 to 15 notches above lead. It has the hole on the side and is threaded on one end. Kind looks like a bobbin but is threaded (thought for a min maybe a bullet puller but really doubt it now) and the weird part is it rings up kinda like silver??? Any help is much appreciated...

I like the deadblow idea, however I think the weight is too light. The sand may have been for balancing or as a replacement for gunpowder in exercises.

Hey Beau! I, and I would imagine many of your followers, would love to see how you drill the exploding artillery shells. Love your videos, keep'em coming!

Iron Easter eggs lol ready wash your haaaannddss!!!

I located a link which talks about the sand being foundry sand used and left inside when the shell was cast and then plugged with the brass plug. They explained that the cavity was for later use if the military wanted to fill the cavity with gun powder and a fuse could be drilled into where the brass plug was placed. www.relicman.com/artillery/Artillery3831-Dahlgren.html

Aquchigger you need to make some more videos like this one and finding the shells again I love this video Iv been a subscriber for a long time now but I like this kinda of videos you made hope you and your wife are doing good besafe and we love you all

ᴅᴜᴅᴇ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ sᴏ ᴄᴏᴏʟ

show how you drill a shell and make it safe. good vid

Sounds like they were trying to make a shell that wouldn't bounce off of stuff. Kind of like a deadblow hammer. The loose shot inside absorbs the bounce or something.

Great Video ! Thanks for sharing with us ! Big ThumbZ UP Brother (1,430th) ;)

Beau - What you call a "cocoon" is *concretion.*

A couple of questions: 1. Why black sand. Isn't that fairly rare in the North? 2. Would love to hear what sort of tone these gave off with the Pro. What tone difference from average hot rock to these "cocoons". 3. Awfully glad that black sand wasn't Rickey's ashes. (That wasn't a question)

************************ 12:07 ************************ Here it comes people. Our one and only Aquachigger references the BEATLES and the song Maxwell's Silver Hammer from the Abbey Road album!!!!!! Isn't it COOL when you are OLD enough to reference POP CULTURE from some FORTY years PAST. I wonder if people in the FUTURE will be able to reference the culture of Millennials.

Could the black sand be a scam? Some people may have been trying to pull a fast one on the military by stealing gunpowder from shells.

I feel like I'm in a kindergarten class during the best show and tell ever. The end tapping and busting iron crust is sooooo satisfying. I'm calling you the chiggfessor lol

best video yet; amazing finds you and Steve pulled out; are you going to tell us which unit or ship fought at that site or what battle; I thoroughly enjoyed this episode so much; look forward to your updates on preserving and cleaning; I knew an elderly gentleman (passed) who as a boy on sable island (son of light keeper) found a french sword from 1600's; so the sword really intrugues me; maybe you might be able to identify the owner; I am hooked

Believe the monitor introduced the revolving turret to naval warfare.

if u would go to my grandma house in mexico u would find amazing stuff

Chigger, this was my favorite episode ever! Learned so much, thank you for saving our history.

+Aquachigger I bet that sand was used to balance the shell as it was flying, Just like how tire beads are used to balance tires. Maybe it gave a better spiral.

Thanks for your video with soooooooo much knowledge from start to finish about the life of a cannonball

I think you should show us the process you use to drill the hole safely without igniting any potentially still volatile powder. I know usually, it involves a drill that is operated from a distance with water flowing as well to stop any ignition sources.

Once again another great Video. I wish I lived in a history rich area like you do! The best I've ever done is a 1732 4 bit realle token! It wasn't even a coin! Same as my 1832 bank of upper Canada 1 cent token! lol... But I still treasure those finds. It's a piece of History that I own that is not in a museum.

Very cool video and always a pleasure to watch your content Aquachigger

I hope you'll do a follow-up video showing these after the preservation process. I know you have shown the process and results before, but this would make a complete circle.

Great!!! Tutorial videos. On preserving those cast shells. Love your videos Beau. Happy hunting. Happy New year. 2018 is going to be awesome!! Hold your breath!!,!

Very interesting video with lots of good information! I just have one question; you mentioned "drilling out" shells - how do you do it especially with the danger of a spark setting off the volatile old black powder?

Enjoyed this thoroughly ! Like Christmas. Would have been nice to find a bunch of gold coins. Does the salt water have the same kind of effect on gold as with the grape shot?

FASCINATING! I'm learning so MUCH - Thank you for sharing all these wonderful adventures back in time... So how long do you reckon the life span of an iron do-dad (a 22lb ball) would be in salt water? Now I understand why wooden artifacts seem to hang around longer than iron, which we all think is so tough! Brilliant stuff :)

hi chigg the historic Society in my town gave me permission to do their land to metal detect their land. so I'm going to get over there as soon as I can I've been metal detecting here and there but I really haven't found anything worth making a video for cuz I always have trouble finding any good places to go and I live in town. but the town I live in is historic the house I live in is from 1850 but the landlord won't let me metal detect around it people around here are real sticky about letting you metal detect the yards so it's kind of a struggle but I guess is about things are looking up a bit. Historic Society has a few Acres up here and a lot of stuff happened there over the years so I'm sure I'll be able to find something cool. The biggest problem is I haven't found a horseshoe yet once I find a horseshoe I think my luck will get better you find lots of horseshoes in your luck is real good LOL anyway happy hunting and I'll let you know what I find have a good one great video by the way I've actually had better luck in the Coinstar machines I found a bunch of silver coins.

The weight of the black sand and it's hardness when the shell hit would slam into the nose area causing it to fragment with more velocity. Really great restore video! Thanks Beau,👍

A face shield would be advisable for that de encrusting at,least glasses!

Did you make that hammer in high school??? I have one just like I made in high school in 1965! Really Great Videos Beau!!! Keep making them!!! Thanks!

Absolutely fascinating Chigg, really interesting to watch , i knew zero about them, but a little about ww1 artillery projectiles , really enjoyed this video, grape shot was amazing, well thank you very much👍🙂🇺🇲

So, Beau, that is the explanation from all these magnetic stones you can find by magnet fishing. Thanks, again a lil' bit wiser!

Just a thought on the black sand. Possibly they used black sand filled shells fighting wooden ships and only used gun powder shells on iron ships to save on the cost and storage of gun powder! Thoughts?

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing so much of your knowledge re: the Civil War, it's battles, and the weapons. I could listen to you tell us about the engagements for hours. Telling us about the Dahlgren shell was incredible Thanks, Beau.

Very cool !! Thanks for sharing. Look forward to many MOAR !!!!!

How can some viewers give a thumbs down to this video. All of his videos are great

Nice grape harvest. I wish the only way to leave a dislike was to write why the video was disliked. When you click the dl button. it won't take until a comment is left.

I'm a new subscriber from Idaho. Just want to thank you for sharing your videos. Very cool and informative. Thanks again and please keep them coming!

Amazing video as always, I owe my knowledge to you!I’ve had my cannon balls and artillery rounds in fresh water for coming on two years and it’s a gamble, some have split and cracked.Possibly way too much saltwater damage and maybe poor casting process or material sadly sees a lot crumble.My grapeshot also are as light as a feather, a handful of blueberries weighs more! Keep the videos coming buddy!!

Amazing video Beau theses are so interesting, I am surprised the History channel haven't claimed you for TV. Would love to see more of the process water tank electrolysis waxing? etc. Would also love to see your collections again. Thanks again for a great video GL&HH

Think I’d have been tempted to take a Dremel tool to them. It’s like Christmas... you’re pretty sure you know what’s wrapped up, but you can’t be certain til you open it. Two minds to this... 1. Crack that SOB open as fast as possible to get to the good stuff...2. Be like a freaking archaeologist and take little bits and pieces off at a time. Personally... I only have that kind of patience when I know for a fact I’m going to find something priceless.

Absolutely fascinating. A bit like Christmas not knowing what you are going to get (ok a little dirtier lol). Please carry on making videos like this so we can see the whole procedure from finding to preserved items.

The love watching this I learned to make my own electrolysis machine and been using it to clean off all of my iron objects I found like the old 1920s pocket knife 1800s civil war horseshoe and 1800s scythe.

Hey chig! Big fan of the channel. I really liked this video in particular. I hope you do more like it! When ya coming back down to Columbus Ga? I'd love for you to find some relics here. I dig under the bridges downtown and I usually find bullets from the battle of Girard among coins and various other things. Always glad to see a new video from you! Keep up the good work!

Interesting video Chigg. You have a keen eye my friend. I would've figured all those Grape Shots were just rocks! Shame that the saltwater destroys them so much. Hopefully you'll be able to save a few! Loving the videos. Sad that Summers quickly coming to an end which means fewer videos. What have you got planned this Winter for the channel? Keep digging and be safe!

My family came from England in 1649 to Middletown ct. My ancestor Nathaniel bacon was one of the first 23 settlers. I've had family in every single war on American soil. One happened to even receive a medal of honor for capturing a south Carolina regiment flag in the revolutionary war!

How much would u guys pay to see aquachigger metal detect Gettysburg? I know it's federal land it's just a hypothetical ?. I would love to see that.

That stuff your calling black sand is actually gun powder that after 150 some years has degraded. I have found several shells with that same thing in them. I really like your 12 pounder. Never found or seen one found with the sabot intact. Really cool.

I'm hooked on the aquachigger! Fascinated by your videos, very interesting!! I wonder what's left, or wat is the iron leaching out of?

Chig with regard to the ball canisters, the grounds of a police academy I attended early in the 1970's incorporated an old pre-World War one fort which was still administered by the Australian Army. The fort originally had massive 6" muzzle loading naval guns mounted in revetments on the parapet and the magazines for the guns deep underground had been converted into a military museum that contained relics from the Boer War through WWII. Over the years after WWII recreational SCUBA divers found several 'canisters' of grape shot on the sea bed out in front of the old fort and some wound up in the museum. My daily fatigues incorporated polishing brass on WWI vintage breech loading Vickers naval guns salvaged off an old destroyer so I had an occasional opportunity to browse in the museum. The salvaged grape canisters consisted of steel or iron plates attached on the sides a bit like a wooden barrel with similar ends and the whole shebang was riveted together with hoops top and bottom. The interior of each canister apparently contained steel balls with a central explosive charge fused with intent to disperse them at distances predetermined by an optic range finder located in a low cupola on top of the parapet.

Thanks for showing us this. I really enjoyed seeing part of the preserving process.

I was convinced that was a Blakeley shell. And I was wrong! I guess I deserve the butt hurt I feel now...Oh well! Great finds great vid! :)

I have seen civil war artifacts sell for big money and I know that you dont do this to make money but what would a single grape shot be worth? or that dahlgren shell?

Hey Beau, you probably already found the answer to the sand question, but here it is anyway- Rifled artillery projectile, Dahlgren design, Federal manufacture, blind shell with brass cap, lead cup sabot, rifled boat howitzer, 3.4 in. Projectile was manufactured in the Federal arsenals following the design of John Dahlgren. The pattern employed a lead cup sabot with a groove in the middle on which greased twine was affixed, this to lubricate. The bottom of the projectile was cast with five ribs onto which the lead cup sabot was affixed. In addition four raised ribs were placed on the side, which were slightly wider than the rifling grooves in the cannon and designed to guide the projectile through the bore, but without catching on the grooves. These projectiles were cast with a cavity, the casting sand was usually left in the core, unfinished hole was plugged with a small brass plug, giving it the effect of a light bolt. This was probably intended as a transitional measure to test the pattern, the shell could be drilled and fitted for fuzes at a later time. These "blind shells" never had an explosive charge, the black substance sometimes found inside is foundry sand from the mold for the core.

The sand may be a balancer? Sort of like the stuff used to balance large off road tires for highway use. As the shell spins It might help the shell keep a steady flight path and not wobble and fall short. Love this stuff! Love your videos! Thank You!

wonder if the black sand made the shell a big dead blow hammer

I am so stuck watching Aquachigger videos.....LOL

Beau im not questioning your methods just curious if youve ever tried different vinegars? Long time subber. I've used different vinegars on some things I've found and as long as i monitor the progress well the dirt and crud come off pretty nice. Of course dont soke too long because it'll look like it was way over sandblasted. Anyway take care hh

"Fire for range". That way, since you KNEW it wasn't going to hit, no need to waste precious powder. Add sand to match the weight.

Would luv to see your drill process. Im sure its the typical corded drill press with a water hose. I guess maybe liability issues. But not many people find shells. Ive only found 4 in the last 5 yrs of exclusively civil war searching. Once i found a minnie, coins just weren't the same. Lol

Aquachigger have you seen the BBC series of the Detectorists. It's very English humour xxx

I miss the good old days when you were banging on live cannon balls with a rock. Good times. check my channel.

My name is dwelly Ryder I was one of the first crew members and a pre commission unit on the new USS Virginia back in the 70s I was there the day they laid the keel in Newport News shipyard I will just 3rd class petty officer aboard that ship I know the whole story about the Monitor and the Merrimack

Beau, Where did you get the knowledge from, i.e. self-taught or from college? You seem very well educated. Very interesting, is it a local organization that you're in that helps preserve the shells, etc.

Think they call the build up of gunk around metal objects "concretions"?..

Unsure if anyone has answered the mystery of the black sand in the Dahlgren shell. It's foundry sand from the mold for the core during the manufacturing process.

What happens if you dig up a shell? What happens if you hit a shell, does it explode? I am a Civil War detecting noobie and need help not blowing my face off. Thanks!

When the shell is fired, the sand is accelerated to the back, but when the shell hits, the sand slams into the front giving additional acceleration and hence, penetrarion. The additional force F = the mass M (just use weight) of the sand times the acceleration A of the shell (velocity to zero). I don't know whether that made any difference in penetration. But in theory.....

Great video. I bet if one was whacked with that grape shot there wouldn't be much left?