Touch Hole

A touch hole is a small hole through which the propellant charge of a cannon or muzzleloading gun is ignited. In small arms, the flash from a charge of priming held in the flash pan is enough to ignite the charge within. In artillery, priming powder, a fuse, squib, or friction igniter is inserted into the touch hole to ensure ignition of the charge.

The powder in the touch hole was lit either with a slow match, a linstock or a type of Flintlock mechanism that was known as a gunlock.

Read more about Touch Hole:  Spiking The Guns

Famous quotes containing the words touch and/or hole:

    For, whom the Muses smile upon,
    And touch with soft persuasion,
    His words like a storm-wind can bring
    Terror and beauty on their wing;
    In his every syllable
    Lurketh nature veritable.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Every hole tempts my finger.
    Mason Cooley (b. 1927)