[photo] See caption below for details.
Linstock
European
c 1680-1730
This artilleryman's pole arm was intended primarily as a holder for a smoldering match rope used to ignite the cannon by touching it to the primed touch hole. Most also included a central spear point to defend the cannon.
Iron. L.36.3 cm

The George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 592