lock-string

• “These, when in good order, are not apt to fail if the lock-string be properly pulled; as, however, a slight deterioration may interfere with the regularity of salutes, the precaution of dropping a few grains of gunpowder into the vent will be found effectual.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “The men should be practised at unloaded guns, in placing the primers, both percussion and friction, properly, and in pulling the lock-string so as to insure their explosion, until this very essential knowledge and skill have been perfectly attained.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “Before firing, he is to throw his hand well up as a signal for the men to "drop tackles," and is to give the word "fire" when he pulls the lock-string.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “No. 1 puts in the vent-plug, wipes and lays the hammer in place and the lock-string around it, then puts on the lock-cover; sees his gun properly secured, and the implements and spare articles returned to their places.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “CAPTAIN assists in casting loose and middling breeching; takes off and places amidships sight-covers, selvagee straps, and toggles; handles quoin; provides thumbstalls, priming-wires, and boring-bit, and equips himself with the first two; clears lock-string and lays it in a loose coil round the lock, convenient for use, and buckles on his waist-belt furnished as 1st Captain's.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “It will occasionally happen, either from carelessness or inattention to the instructions given for the proper manner of pulling the lock-string, that the head of the primer will be crushed without exploding it.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “The Gun Captain puts in the vent-plug, lays the hammer of the lock in its place, and the lock-string in a coil around it.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “No. 1 to lock-string; when the object comes in view, Officer of piece gives order.”

  Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition.

• “_Saratoga's_ boarding-officer passed along the deck of the _Confiance_ he accidentally ran against a lock-string of one of her starboard guns, [Footnote: A sufficient commentary, by the way, on James 'assertion that the guns of the _Confiance_ had to be fired by matches, as the gun-locks did not fit!] and it went off.”

  The Naval War of 1812 Or the History of the United States Navy during the Last War with Great Britain to Which Is Appended an Account of the Battle of New Orleans

• “The canvas covering was torn off and cast aside, the gun trained, and the lock-string pulled.”

  True To His Colors

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