Confederate Artillery Vent Pick / Priming Wire - Original - For Siege Cannons

Description

This iron artillery vent pick (or priming wire) can be identified as Confederate due to the twisted hand-forged seal at the loop, which results in a crudely made, crooked loop.
It is 17 inches long, which is typical of vent picks used for larger siege cannons.  The pick is twisted at the end.
These picks were used to pierce the powder bag through the vent hole of the cannon, so that the lit fuse would ignite the powder.
One of the photos shows the vent hole on the top of a 4.2 inch Parrott Siege Cannon where this pick would be inserted.  This cannon is at the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where one of the longest and most devastating sieges of the Civil War occurred.
The vent pick is in excellent condition, with no rust.
A scarce Confederate Artillery piece to add to your collection!