Hand is likewise used for the horseman’s hand. Thus spear-hand, or sword-hand, is the horseman’s right hand, and bridle-hand is his left hand.
Hand-Barrow, a machine made of light wood, of great use in fortification for carrying earth from one place to another; or in a siege, for carrying shells or shot along the trenches.
Hand-Barrow. Weight 13 pounds, length 5 feet 4 inches.
Hand-Breadth, a measure of three inches, or a space equal to the breadth of the hand, the palm.
Hand-Gallop, a slow and easy gallop, in which the hand presses the bridle to hinder increase of speed.
Hand-Grenades, small iron shells, from 2 to 3 inches diameter, filled with powder which being lighted by means of a fuse, are thrown by the grenadiers amongst the enemy; until lately out of use. See [Grenades].
Hand-Gun, a gun held in the hand.
Hand-Mallet, a wooden hammer with a handle, to drive fuses, or pickets, &c. in making fascines or gabion batteries.
Hand-Screw, is composed of a toothed iron bar, which has a claw at the lower end and a fork at the upper: the bar is fixed in a stock of wood, about 2.5 feet high, and 6 inches thick, moved by a rack-work, so that this claw or fork being placed under a weight raises it as far as the bar can go.
Hand-Spike, in gunnery, a wooden lever 5 or 6 feet long, flattened at the lower end, and tapering towards the other, useful in moving guns to their places after being fired and loaded again, or for moving other heavy weights.