ramrod

A ramrod is a stick that has a wide end, used for muzzle-loaded antique_firearms such as muskets, arquebuss, or even cannons, to push the projectile up against the propellant (mainly blackpowder) down away from the muzzle, toward the end of the weapon's barrel to be ready to fire. A gun's ramrods can found on and usually held in a notch underneath the barrel.