CIVIL WAR ARTILLERY HANDSPIKE / TRAILSPIKE

$325.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1179-1662

Unless enemy infantry are on top of you, aim counts for something in firing an artillery piece. This is an original Civil War artillery trailspike or handspike that was inserted into the “pointing rings” on base of the cannon’s carriage trail. After keeping the vent closed while a piece was loaded or reloaded, “Number Three” in the gun crew would step back and position himself to move the trail of the piece left or right according to directions from the gunner, who would be standing forward and sighting along the barrel of the piece, having accomplished that, Number Three would then be responsible for sticking a vent pick / priming wire through the vent to pierce the powder bag of the artillery round in preparation for insertion of the friction primer. All this was a carefully choreographed operation drilled into the crew by repetition in practice, essential not only for keeping the gun in action and firing rapidly, but also for the safety of the crew, who each had assigned tasks, but might be called upon to fill another role if the crew took casualties.

This is a great, original example with iron band and ring in place and showing lots of original olive green paint with some wear to the paint and wood at places where it would be handled and take some wear from insertion into the trail rings. Measures 53" in length. This was formerly in the artillery collections of the Texas Civil War Museum and would make a great addition to any Civil War artillery display or collection. Going back to the beginning of this listing, we should note that if enemy infantry did manage to get on top an artillery crew, personal accounts indicate they were frequently met with rammers and with handspikes used as clubs in the melee.   [sr][ph:L]

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