France / c. 1600–1625
Linstock
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Linstock as arms and armor (France · c. 1600–1625).
The tapestries and weaponry adorning the walls of the Armor Court are not props. Located near the portrait of Agostino Barbarigo, this linstock hangs to the far right of a grouping of weapons. The blade ends in a double snake design and is attached to a solid wood handle.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this arms and armor as steel; octagonal wood haft covered with green velvet, brass studs.
The museum's collection notes: This specialized staff weapon was used primarily to ignite the charge in pieces of artillery. The two lateral projections ending in eagles' heads are actually clips designed to hold the smoldering matches that allowed the firer to stand a little further from the cannon. The short, leaf-shaped blade allowed the linstock to be used as a weapon if necessary.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtLinstockOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.