This wooden linstock meas. approx. 24.50 inches long with a bulbous head approx. 5.25 inches in circumference at the top and tappers to 2.75 inches at the bottom before ending with a sharp iron stake. There is a hole drilled in the top that penetrates the wood for 6.00 inches. There are also 4 slits cut in the wood opposite each other that also run about 6.00 inches. Sliding up and down around the outside of the linstock in this area is an iron band. The hole and slits are meant to receive a portfire that would be forced into the hole with the ring being advanced toward the top to hold the wood tight around the portfire. A portfire was a stick shaped slow burning match that would be used if friction primers would not work or were not available. If the portfire and linstock were used the sharp iron stake in the base allowed it to be stuck in the ground and held upright between firings.

This linstock is in good condition and very solid. There are some scratches scattered around the body which reveal orange paint underneath. Painted on the bottom edge of the metal slider is a museum accession number of 9925. This mark shows that this piece was once in the holdings of the Rosensteel Family collection of Gettysburg artifacts and given by them to the Gettysburg National Military Park who then traded it to The Horse Soldier for items that would further enhance the Park’s holdings.   [ad]

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