What do you call?

[P/o Prune]

What is the end of a ramrod called?
I'm looking for the name of the "thingy" with which you push the gunpowder down to the bottom of the cannon.

[saabie]

Just the ram as far as I know.
A ramrod is simply a ram attached to a rod and it is used for ramming the gunpowder into the cannon.

[Lazzah]

If you look at this website: http://www.thepirateking.com/historical ... _tools.htm you will see that there were several tools employed for use with a cannon. The one you are referring to was the "rammer" but there was another for sponging out the barrel after a shot had been fired so that any remaining bits of burning gunpowder were extinguished. If the gun crew didn't do that there was the danger of the next cartridge (gunpowder was usually supplied in canvas cartridges rather than as loose gunpowder) igniting and killing the gunner(s) - which sometimes happened in the heat of battle.