Charging-Spanner with Ramrod

Culture German

Date1600–1650

Mediumiron

Dimensions7.5 × 57 cm (2 15/16 × 22 7/16 in.), 10 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.514

DescriptionOf iron. Comprising an inverted small, heart-shaped, flat priming flask with spring-loaded cut-off at the tapered nozzle. On the back is a rectangular block, pierced with graduated square holes to serve as a spanner for wheel-lock guns. At the base of the flask is a tubular ramrod, expanding at the ends. The base of the rod is internally threaded for accessories. The piece is of plain polished iron, and without decoration except for simple, incised cuts on the ends of the spanner-block and the shut-off pivot.
Label TextBy the 1600s, the usual weapons of cavalry were swords and firearms. The most common firearms were a pair of pistols or a short musket called a carbine. Cavalry firearms used either a flintlock ignition or a wheel-lock. The spring-loaded wheel was given a turn, or “spanned,” with a special wrench called a spanner. Pulling the trigger released the wheel, which struck sparks from a piece of pyrite in a manner loosely similar to a cigarette lighter. This charging-spanner incorporates a flask for fine-grained gunpowder to prime the ignition, and a ramrod to pack down the bullet and main gunpowder charge. ProvenanceUnnamed German private collector. Purchased by Walter J. Karcheski Jr. on 29 September 2000, on behalf of the Museum, from Jürgen H. Fricker (Dinkelsbühl, Germany), with HAM# 2000.04.1, for 4,000 DM. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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