A Civil War cannon was served by a choreographed crew of nine cannoneers, each with a numbered role. Number 1 rammed the cartridge down the muzzle with the sponge-and-rammer staff. Number 2 placed the cartridge and projectile at the muzzle. Number 3 covered the vent at the breech with his leather-gloved thumb. Number 4 — the role this figure represents — pierced the cartridge through the vent with a friction primer, attached the firing lanyard, stepped clear of the recoil arc, and pulled on the gunner's command. Numbers 5 through 8 worked the limber and ammunition; the gunner sighted and gave the fire order. A trained Federal crew could fire two to three aimed rounds per minute.

This W. Britain figure depicts the Number 4 man on a Federal gun crew — the cannoneer responsible for the friction primer and firing lanyard. He wears the regulation artillery kit: dark blue shell jacket with red branch piping on the collar and cuffs, light blue trousers with the red artillery stripe, dark forage cap, and the wide belt with brass U.S. plate. The small leather fuze pouch on his belt held the friction primers — small brass tubes packed with fulminate of mercury that ignited when the lanyard's serrated wire pulled through them. The lanyard itself coils from his right hand. The figure completes any Federal battery diorama as the man whose pull actually fires the gun. Pair this figure with Federal Artillery NCO Pointing for the gunner-and-firing-team pair; with M1841 6-Pound Bronze Field Gun for the gun being fired; or with Union Light Artillery Driver for the limber team behind the position.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31423. From the American Civil War range. Single foot figure, supplied painted and ready for display.