Ram Rod Head, 24-Pounder.

Description
Ram rod head for a 24-pounder. Wooden, turned, cylindrical object. Hollow through centre. Shaped with a gouge, roll and lip at one end. ‘24’ carved into flat surface of shaped end.

The rammer was a wooden cylinder about the same diameter and length as the internal cannon bore and shot. Cannon rammers were used to ram the charge and cannonball into position down a cannon barrel. The gunpowder, contained in a cloth bag, would first be placed into the mouth of the cannon barrel. A gun wad followed the shot (often a cannon ball) and finally another gun wad. The rammer would then be used to push the contents into position and removed before firing. Some of the rammers had ash staves as handles with markings along their length as a precaution against faulty or double loading. Marks on the rammer handle showed the loader when the different parts of the charge were properly seated. Because of their length these had to be used with the gun port open, thus exposing the gunner to enemy fire. Rammers and sponges were made in different sizes, according to the calibre of the gun. These were stamped with the size of gun for which they were intended, in this case a 24-pounder.
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