This is a simple, yet essential piece of artillery gear to prevent the accidental discharge of an artillery round. Among the duties of artilleryman “Number Three” on a gun crew was closing off the gun’s vent to prevent any remaining embers, from a previous cloth cartridge bag, flaring up as a new round was loaded.

The thumbstall was made of thick leather, about 5 inches long, with a pocket on one end to insert one’s thumb and a long strap to run back over the top of the hand. A simple thong passing through a slit would be knotted around the wrist, to keep it in place. The underside of the thumb pocket was given an extra layer, both to better seal the vent and protect the artilleryman’s thumb from the hot metal of a just-fired cannon.

These are very plain, simply constructed, and have a very low survival rate. They hard to find and are an essential piece in an artillery display. This one is in well used condition, having seen much service. The thumb pad is dark stained and shows surface wear. The raw-hide wrist thong is partially complete with a small section remaining on each side. The rest of the buff leather shows areas of staining and s sweat mark near the top draw string tie. [stp][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!