Civil War cannons were fired using friction primers set in the vent hole at the breech once the gun was loaded. These primers had a small wire with a loop on the end which was yanked out to ignite a chemical composition, firing the cannon. Needless to say, it was advisable to stand off a bit from the process, if for no other reason than that the recoil of the gun could take out anyone immediately behind it. Gunners thus used a rope lanyard with a small hook on one end to engage the primer wire and a wood handle on the other to give a good solid yank to set it off.

This item is an original Civil War artillery lanyard. Intact with wood spool, 4.5” in length, 1” in diameter, with hemp cord, and with 1” metal hook.  The latter is slightly rusted but otherwise a magnificent lanyard all round, the hemp especially. An utterly superb collectible.

Along with vent picks, augurs and other essential tools, the lanyard was one of the essential pieces carried in the artillery fuse pouch, worn by the gunner on a simple waist belt. Civil War photos of artillery posed for action often show the gunner with arm out, holding the lanyard semi-taught, with back turned slightly to the gun and legs spread, ready to step away from the piece as he set it off on command.  [jet]

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