Steve wrote:

"Ray" wrote in message
...
You know, the Chinese iron balls with the chimes inside like
http://www.uran.net/zlb/cloisonneexerciseballs.htm ?
Some are chrome plated and quite smooth. They've been around for hundreds
of years, though I don't know if they originally had the chimes inside.
I'd
hate to have to cut one open to find out!

--
Ray

From Google:

Virtually every sailing ship in the 1700-1800s had cannons for protection.

Somebody already posted here in this thread, but since you appearently
didn't read it, here it is again:
http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/brass.htm

And for those that don't bother to follow links. It is FALSE!!!