Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

A Turkish pistol ramrod (suma), iron rod with brass head, incised decoration to the upper part, small braised-on loop for suspension, barley twist brass handle with baluster finial being also the handle for tongs concealed within the hollow rod, length 37mm.

Turkish martial culture appears to have favoured a rod hung from the belt as a separate accoutrement, rather than one fixed to an associated pistol. Apparently the tongs were for lighting a pipe, presumably by introducing an ember to the bowl. Reference : George Cameron Stone, 'Glossary...'