Artillery Vent Punch from the Civil War

This is another nice piece being offered, it is an original Civil War Artillery Vent Punch. They were used to pierce the powder bag to allow the flame to fire the projectile. It measures 16” long and the diameter of the ring is 2 ¼”, this would be the size used on field pieces.

In “Arms and Equipment of the Union”, there is an example of this gimlet (see pictures). In my book “Civil War Artillery – A Pictorial Introduction”, I show a similar Vent Pick. Another example of this piece is on display at the West Point Foundry Museum (see pictures). It is in great condition and becoming a difficult artillery item to find.