Worm (artillery)
(Redirected from Gun worm)
A worm is a device used to remove unspent powder bag remnants from a cannon or other piece of muzzle-loading field artillery.[1] It usually took the form of a double or triple corkscrew-shaped piece of iron on the end of a long pole that could be twisted down the barrel to pick up any debris left over from the previous firing of the weapon or used to extract a misfired charge.[2][3] It was usually turned twice before being pulled out.[3]
As used during the American Civil War, the worm was either on its own pole hanging from the artillery carriage or attached to the end of the sponge.[2]
References
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