Period matches

[Watchdog]

The Fusee was (and, indeed, still is), a type of conical spring, used in clocks since the 15th century and later to maintain high levels of accuracy in pocket watches when on the march.

Yep, as well as a ; flare, pyrotechnic device or a type of flintlock rifle

Regards

Mark

[HPL2008]

I think that historically a fusee or fuzee has been a kind of warning flare and with that in mind do I recall correctly the German word Fackel(?) so matches fusee (or fusee matches) = matches for lighting flares

No, actually. The "fuzees" in the lyrics of The British Grenadiers were shortened muskets, basicially the same thing as fusils. This is where the term fusilier/fusileer (in German Füsilier) comes from, wheraes the term fusil itself comes from the Old French term foisil, meaning a piece of flint. (So, there's the match connection: Something to light a fire with.)

The German word Fackel means torch; it is derived from the Latin word facula, which has the same meaning.

(Please don't believe for a moment I know all that stuff off the top of my head; I had to look it up. )

[Watchdog]

No, actually. The "fuzees" in the lyrics of The British Grenadiers were shortened muskets, basicially the same thing as fusils. This is where the term fusilier/fusileer (in German Füsilier) comes from, wheraes the term fusil itself comes from the Old French term foisil, meaning a piece of flint. (So, there's the match connection: Something to light a fire with.)

The German word Fackel means torch; it is derived from the Latin word facula, which has the same meaning.

(Please don't believe for a moment I know all that stuff off the top of my head; I had to look it up. )

Correct again Andreas

I am with you there. It is another of those words that has so many different definitions over history. Check my added definitions in post #11 above

Regards

Mark