The rod used in ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm.

A rod used in seating a load in muzzle-loading firearms.

The single shot pistol would use a ramrod to force the ball and powder down into the chamber. A pistol would have its ramrod kept in a holder on the pistol but it would not be physically attached so it was possible to lose a ramrod. And at the worst time I imagine!!! Revolver A multiple shot handgun

a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm

a rod used to clean the barrel of a firearm

a device used with early firearms to push the projectile up against the propellant (mainly gunpowder )

The ramrod is a long rod that is usually found slid into a hole that is under the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. It is used to force the bullet down the barrel, into the breech, and against the powder charge. Most are wood with metal ends, but newer ones are made of various plastics.

A rod which is used to push the bullet into a muzzleloading rifles bore.

A wood or metal rod used to force the wad and bullet down the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm.

A rod of non ferrous construction used to 'ram' the ball (or bullet) down the barrel of a muzzle loading gun so as to seat it firmly on the charge of Black Powder. It must be made of a material which cannot strike sparks off the steel of the barrel. The ramrod can also be used to determine if a muzzle loading gun is actually loaded, by marking it so that one can tell when it reaches the end of the chamber and thus indicates that there is no charge present.

1 Of a muzzle loader, a rod employed in charging the weapon by ramming the wad and bullet or shot down the barrel against the powder charge. Ramrods are made of either wood or metal. 2 Colloquially, a cleaning rod.