A contender has to "run the Gauntlet" by passing Gladiators armed with ramrods. After firing, the gun was lowered for reloading using hydraulic ramrods and a shell hoist. Pistols made before 1790 had wood instead of steel ramrods. Some featured improvements such as iron instead of wood ramrods. The challenger has to run through a gauntlet while passing five gladiators armed with ramrods. During the 1960s Keating also managed a rock band, "The Ramrods". The Remains and The Rockin' Ramrods formed in Boston. Among the local stars Ginsburg promoted were The Rockin' Ramrods and Freddie Cannon. Big Beat Records released "The Best Of The Rockin' Ramrods" in 1995. The cannon and ramrods symbolize the basic mission of Field Artillery. Some ramrods were equipped with threaded ends, allowing different attachments to be used.