Linstock

European
ca. 1680 – 1730

This artilleryman's polearm was intended primarily as the holder for a smoldering match rope used to ignite a cannon by touching it to the primed touch hole. Most also included a central spear point to defend the cannon.

Iron, wood. L 205.4 cm, Shaft W 3 cm, Head W 24.5 cm
The George C. Neumann Collection,
Valley Forge National Historical Park, VAFO 592