Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice and seldom encountered artillery portfire holder, the type of tool used by artillery crews to carry and control a burning portfire for igniting the vent of a muzzle loading cannon before friction primers became standard. Measuring approximately 24 inches overall, it consists of a long wooden handle fitted with a metal post and working tension nut at the end, allowing the slow burning match or portfire to be clamped securely in place. A small metal belt hook is mounted along one side for convenient carriage when not in use.

Portfires were an important part of artillery drill for centuries. Before the widespread adoption of friction primers and other self contained ignition systems, a gun crew needed a reliable way to bring a controlled flame to the cannon vent after the piece had been loaded and aimed. The portfire provided that flame, while the holder kept the burning composition at a safer distance from the gunner's hand and allowed it to be directed precisely toward the vent.

Devices of this general type were used from the 17th century well into the 19th century. By the time of the American Civil War, friction primers had increasingly replaced the older portfire system in U.S. service, so surviving holders are more often associated with the earlier antebellum period. Based on its form and construction, this example most likely dates to the Mexican-American War era or the decades immediately before the Civil War.

The holder measures approximately 24 inches overall. The wooden shaft shows substantial age and honest handling wear, but remains solid. At the working end is a metal fitting with a tension nut that still operates correctly, allowing the match or portfire to be tightened into place. The small metal hook on the side would have allowed the tool to be suspended from a belt or other piece of artillery equipment when not in use.

Condition is very good overall for an artillery implement of this age. There is heavy service wear and age throughout, but the piece remains structurally sound and the tensioning mechanism is still functional.

This is only the second example we have ever had, and it is a very evocative piece of early artillery equipment. It would make an excellent addition to a Mexican-American War, antebellum U.S. Army, artillery, cannon accessory, or Civil War era ordnance collection, especially alongside a cannon vent pick, friction primer tin, linstock, or other period artillery tools.