What is that guy doing?

[The Miner '49er]

Most of us have seen this drawing many times before but it puzzles me. Can anyone suggest what the guy on the right is applying to the touch hole? Unless those medieval fingers were a lot tougher than mine, and he is igniting the handgonne, I bet he will only do it once. Any ideas?

 

[Ed C.]

He is very, very fast?

 

[The Miner '49er]

He is very, very fast?

He better be, but if not I bet from that day forward they called him 'Ol Eight Fingers.

 

[Canute Rex]

I'd consider that drawing an artist's fantasy. Look at the way the other man is holding the gonne. No way he could handle the recoil in that position. The drawing style looks Victorian. I'll bet someone said,

"I need a drawing of one man holding a primitive hand cannon and another man setting it off with a hot coal. Both wearing armor."

"Should I do any research first?"

"No, we're on a deadline."

 

[The Miner '49er]

Yep, I believe you nailed it. Good one!

 

[Sam squanch]

He may be priming it with a small amount of fine powder mixed with a binder to press fit in the flash hole. Then he would light it.