Item Number: M00639

Item Title: Radial Vent Friction Primer

Price: $85

Shipping: Not included

Provenance: US

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Description:
These types of friction primers with the coiled wire attachment were invented to prevent injury from the friction primer flying free when the cannon went off. Later guns had the vent hole on the side, not the top, and so an unattached primer would've shot out right at a gun crew member.

Imagine a barefoot deck crew stepping on a hot friction primer or it embedding in something flammable! When fired, the coil stretched out in a wire line that was easy to pick up and discard.