Ignite, Fire - A Rare Antique Treen Tool For Lighting Cannons

This is a very unusual piece of antique treen, in fact I haven't seen one before and cant'' find it illustrated anywhere either.

What is it then? I was told by the previous owner that it was for igniting the cannons on board a ship.That makes sense, maybe for lighting the signal cannons.

Let's look at the piece itself. It's quite a chunky piece, beautifully made, the handle has been carved to look like a piece of rope ending at the top in a carved Turkish knot, very reminiscent of some of the sailors seam rubbers from the early 1800's. The head section is thickly lined in metal, indicating it needed to be protected from heat. The top surrounding the head is covered in copper. On the outside of the head are carved the letters 'FIRE'. The head was probably used to place the hot embers or smouldering rope for lighting the cannons in.

A really well made piece, which would have taken a lot of skill and time to make. Certainly a unique piece of history.

It measures 23cm l x 6.8cm w at the head.

Signal cannons were used on board ships and on land to salute or warn others of danger and to attract attention in case of emergency and could also be used to signal the start of a yatch race. They were small, and easily maneorvaable.The British Signal Cannon was an important piece of military technology during the Napoleonic Wars.