Record ID: HESH-10FDB3
Object type: SHOT
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An irregular spherical shaped piece of iron shot / small cannon ball probably of post medieval / civil war date (1600-1700 AD). The ball is of a mid-brown purplish colour with small areas of flaking and active corrosion. The ball is in fairly good condition and with no obvious dents or grazes which might suggest use. The size is small either suggesting it was used as grape shot or that it was for a small hand-held cannon (possibly a serpentine 1 ½ inch bore or Falcon 2 1/2 inch) rather than for a standard sized cannon. The shotis sub-spherical with a diameter of 41.8mm (1.6 inc…
Created on: Wednesday 11th December 2019
Last updated: Friday 17th January 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Shrewsbury', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-BE87FC
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A large broadly triangular piece of iron of uncertain function or date. The iron fragment is hammer worked and is broadly D shaped in cross section. It is pierced in four places - at the apex, twice on the base and singly at the midpoint. The surface is irregular and the reverse face has several areas of spalling and corrosion. The artefact is recorded due to the upper surface seeming to have a series of interlaced designs along the midpoint / spine. This interpretation is uncertain due to condition. Given the form and shape it is possible that this is from a decorative hinge from eit…
Created on: Monday 27th May 2019
Last updated: Monday 15th July 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cleobury', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-BCAF29
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron axe, axehead or hatchet of uncertain date possibly Medieval but more likely to be post medieval date (1000 - 1800 AD). The axe is incomplete and only the blade and cutting edge survive - it is broadly sub-triangular in plan with an irregular expanded blade: in profile it is wedge shaped. The socket of the axe is broken and the break is old and patinated- because of the break it is uncertain how the socket was formed. The butt of the axe is lost. The internal face of the socket has the remains of iron impregnated wood imbedded within the corrosion. As the blade expands in width…
Created on: Thursday 20th December 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 8th January 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-5D2C4A
Object type: NAIL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Large hand wrought iron nail with a large boss like square shaped head with a distinctive D shaped cross section. The shank of the nail is square and broken. The surface of the nail suffers from active laminating corrosion. A direct parallel has not been found, but the shear size suggests that it was not for domestic furniture, instead it is suggested that it might be an iron nail from a studded timber door, or possibly from a boat. A date is also difficult to suggest - it is possibly ancient but as it is hand made it could date from as late as 1900. The iron nail measures, 50.3mm …
Created on: Tuesday 17th April 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 21st August 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'River Perry', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-4B0383
Object type: CANNON BALL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A large iron cannon ball of post-medieval (probably English Civil War) date (1600-1700AD). The cannon ball is very heavily corroded and encrusted with red sandstone - it is sub-spherical in form with a potential diameter of c. 6 inches or 15.5cm. It weighs approximately 7.5 kilograms (15lbs 8ozs). It is made of iron which has been presumably cast - although the seams cannot be seen. The ball is of a mid-brown orange colour with a powdery irregular encrusted surface. It is highly unlikely that the ball has been fired / used. If the ball has been fired then it hasn't been damaged - s…
Created on: Monday 16th April 2018
Last updated: Monday 10th October 2022
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Child's Ercall', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-8BDB3F
Object type: TOY
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
The remains of a functioning percussion lock toy pistol formed with an iron mechanism and decorative lead alloy plates . The fragment is incomplete and the barrel and muzzle as well as one side decorative plate are lost. The gun has a curving butt and the remains of a cylindrical barrel. The plate is attached by a series of iron rivets and is decorated with saltire crosses to achieve the grip. A similar toy pistol has been recorded from Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire (BUC-FF6883). That record notes: Ward Oles Suggests that this is a actually a 19th century pewter toy as the design…
Created on: Monday 8th February 2016
Last updated: Monday 2nd March 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Diddlebury', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-9F8FC0
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A hand forged iron object of uncertain date of function. The object consists of a circular boss which descends to a faceted rectangular bar. The item has been shown to staff of the Royal Armouries who have suggested that it is not sword / dagger related and instead is likely to be for a different purpose. A direct parallel has not been found. The object measures 55.4mm length, 34.9mm diameter across boss (11.9mm thick at same point) the shank projects 25.8mm and is 16.6mm wide and 9.2mm thick. It weighs 68.24 grams.
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Monday 2nd March 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Corve Dale', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-9F20A0
Object type: CROSSBOW BOLT
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A hand forged iron possible bolt head from a catapult of probable Roman date, 50 - 200 AD. The bolt is heavily corroded / encrusted and suffering badly from laminating corrosion. It is triangular in plan and varies in cross section; the shaft has an irregular oval shaped section that expands to a regular square sectioned head that tapers to a blunt point. Much of the surface has been lost to laminating corrosion and the damage to the shaft is relatively old. The head is best described as being a bolt with no signs of bladed edges or sharpened point. The point itself has been lost. The…
Created on: Monday 16th November 2015
Last updated: Monday 2nd March 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Corve Dale', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-C26546
Object type: BLOOM
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Published
An iron ingot or billet formed from a hammer shaped bloom of probable Early Medieval - early Post Medieval date (AD 550-1550). The ingot is broadly rectangular in plan and triangular in cross section. It has an uneven surface patina and the surviving surface has a series of oval scars, most likely from the spalling of surface corrosion. One end has a flattened and polished removal where the surface had been tested by the finder with an angle grinder. This test suggested that it was formed from wrought iron. Where this test has been undertaken a series of shallow cracks extend in the s…
Created on: Wednesday 2nd April 2014
Last updated: Thursday 3rd January 2019
Spatial data recorded.

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Record ID: HESH-711E24
Object type: CANNON BALL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A large iron cannon ball of post-medieval (probably English Civil War) date (1600-1700AD). The cannon ball is sub-spherical with a diameter of c. 5 inches [4 inches 3/4) or 119.4mm. It weighs 7.2 kilograms (15lbs 8ozs). It is made of iron which has been presumably cast - although the seams cannot be seen. The ball is of a mid-brown orange colour with a small area of flaking / active corrosion. The cannon ball is in fairly good condition; however, there are a number of areas which exhibit pitting, denting, and grazes. This damage is as a direct result of the exposing of casting flaws b…
Created on: Tuesday 10th December 2013
Last updated: Monday 2nd March 2020
Spatial data recorded.

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Record ID: HESH-969684
Object type: NAIL
Broad period: UNKNOWN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Large hand wrought iron nail with a large boss like square shaped head with a distinct D shaped cross section. The shank of the nail is square and broken. The surface of the nail suffers from active laminating corrosion. A direct parallel has not been found, but the shear size suggests that it was not for domestic furniture, instead it is suggested that it might be an iron nail from a studded timber door, or possibly from a boat. A date is also difficult to suggest - it is possibly ancient but as it is hand made it could date from as late as 1900. The iron nail measures, 38.7 mm …
Created on: Tuesday 5th November 2013
Last updated: Monday 2nd March 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ellesmere', grid reference and parish protected.

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Record ID: HESH-B5A5C4
Object type: SPUR
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Fragment from an iron spur of probable late medieval or post medieval (1300-1700) date. The fragment consists of the two arms (both broken, and corroded) and also the upper part of the neck that leads to the rowel box which is lost. The arms of the spur are both broken approximately half way along their lengths, the edges are eroded and corroded. Both arms are D shaped in cross section. The area defined by the arms is very slight although movement in the soil might have made this narrower. The neck of the spur is formed at the mid point - in section it is rectangular. There is no evid…
Created on: Wednesday 26th June 2013
Last updated: Thursday 5th December 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Oswestry', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-CEFFA3
Object type: CANNON BALL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron cannon ball of post-medieval (probably English Civil War) date (1600-1700AD). The cannonball is sub-spherical with a diameter of c. 4.3 inches [4 inches 3/16]) or 110mm. It weighs 6.8 kilograms (15lbs). It is made of iron which has been presumably cast - although the seams cannot be seen. The ball is of a mid-brown orange colour with areas of flaking and active corrosion. The cannon ball is in fairly good condition; however, there are a number of areas which exhibit pitting, denting, and grazes. This damage is as a direct result of the exposing of casting flaws by corrosion wh…
Created on: Wednesday 21st November 2012
Last updated: Tuesday 27th November 2012
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-57EED1
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron key of probable later medieval date (1350 - 1500). When found (c. 1970's) the key was heavily corroded and has since been cleaned and all corrosion products removed. The key is complete and broadly sub rectangular in plan. It consists of an irregular oval (kidney) shaped loop which extends into a irregular broadly square sectioned bar (shank). The edges of this section are faceted / chamfered (although it is difficult to be sure due to it being cleaned) and the section tapers along its length. From the lower edge of the shank a sub-rectangular bit projects. The bit is broadly …
Created on: Wednesday 10th October 2012
Last updated: Monday 11th March 2013
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-175D84
Object type: BROOCH
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete two-piece variant style trumpet brooch of Roman date (50-150AD). The brooch seems to be made of iron, which is highly irregular, it is possible that the brooch is in-fact cast copper alloy which has iron wire inlays, however, it is the recorders opinion that the piece is far too magnetic for this to be an adequate hypothesis. The bow of the brooch has a distinctly angular profile and an angular D shaped cross section. The bow conjoins with a D shaped rectangular head and tapers along its length, most notably aft the mid-point. There is no foot-knop but a small fragment of c…
Created on: Thursday 28th July 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 15th January 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Richards Castle', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-795491
Object type: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A hand wrought iron artefact of probably later medieval or post medieval date (1400-1800 AD). The exact nature and function of this artefact is unknown, some suggestions are made below, however the two most convincing suggestions are that it is a crude pole weapon, or that it is a functional handmade tool for agricultural or industrial working. The artefact is made from two pieces of forged iron which have been hammer-welded together. The blade is irregular in shape; it is possible that the metal was shaped to form two cutting edges. The blade is slotted into a V shaped wedge and weld…
Created on: Wednesday 9th March 2011
Last updated: Tuesday 15th March 2011
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-66CF45
Object type: AXEHEAD
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Published
An iron 'bearded' axe or axehead of probable Medieval date (1000 - 1500 AD). The axe is broadly sub-rectangular in plan with an irregular shaped expanded blade that has a pronounced downward projection. The socket of the axe is formed by the tail of the axe being folded and welded; the socket is sub-triangular in shape measuring 29.7mm length x 18.9mm width. The butt of the axe is rectangular. Two sub-triangular projections near the socket are present, although only one is extant, these would have stabilised the axe on the wooden shaft. As the blade expands in width it tapers in secti…
Created on: Wednesday 1st December 2010
Last updated: Wednesday 4th July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bitterley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-69A2A6
Object type: ADZE
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Published
Encrusted iron adze of probable post medieval date (1550-1750). The adze is broadly sub-rectangular in plan with a splayed blade at one end and rounded butt at the other. The butt is finished with a cylindrical projection which may have acted as a hammer. From this projecting butt the axe expands forming a relatively straight sided blade which flares at the base forming a crescent shaped blade. In profile the adze tapers from a thickened butt to the cutting edge. The adze is pierced just below the butt with the shaft hole which is broadly sub-rectangular in shape and regular in width. …
Created on: Wednesday 4th June 2008
Last updated: Sunday 24th July 2016
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ellesmere', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HESH-ECC0B3
Object type: DAGGER
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete single edged bladed iron weapon, probably a dagger (either of the Kidney-dagger type or possibly the Basleard), of probable later medieval, post-medieval or early modern date (1350-1800). The weapon is incomplete and only the tang, quillon plate and upper part of the blade survive. The blade is relatively narrow and has suffered from laminating corrosion in the burial environment along with abrasion which has reduced the width further. From what survives of the blade it seems that the cutting edge is limited to the lower side, however it is possible that there may have …
Created on: Thursday 29th May 2008
Last updated: Monday 23rd September 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: HESH-E33384
Object type: CANNON BALL
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Shropshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cannon ball of post-medieval (probably English Civil War) date (1600-1700AD). The cannonball is sub-spherical with a diameter of 78.7mm (3 inches 1/8). It weighs 1.8 kilograms (4lbs). It is made of iron which has been presumably cast, although there is no evidence of a seam or casting flange. The ball is of a mid-brown orange colour with areas of flaking and active corrosion. The cannon ball is in fairly good condition; however, there are a number of areas which exhibit pitting, denting, and grazes. This might suggest either use or, more likely, damage in the soil. The size of the …
Created on: Thursday 10th April 2008
Last updated: Wednesday 8th August 2012
Spatial data recorded.