Period matches

[rbminis]

I was able to add these period matches to my collection.
They were advertised as Pioneer matches and holders, but I have found no evidence to support this claim.
They were posted with this article as proof of their originality.
Ralph.





A rough translation,

Pursuiters, like fireworks, were indispensable in the field. Here is a typical matchstick made of plywood and cardboard of a famous manufacturer of that time, as well as a bakelite dozer, in which so-called Sturmholzer were kept, which were insensitive to wind and damp

[JPhilip]

Hello,
To the best of my knowledge, these red bakelite containers are postwar...
There were literally hundreds of them for sale ten years ago
Thanks

[CBH]

The matches are today referred to as Life Boat Matches, you can still buy them for survival kits etc.
Apparently they can't be blown out by the wind.

[Watchdog]

The matches are today referred to as Life Boat Matches, you can still buy them for survival kits etc.
Apparently they can't be blown out by the wind.

Known to the British Forces as "Matches Fusee" (Fusee is not a specifically military term and has been around as long as safety matches themselves) a very similar modern type is included in ration packs and, as Chris indicates, can be found in many proprietary survival kits as "windproof matches"). The tip is similar to typical safety matches and lights quickly under friction burning furiously to ignite the long slower burning remainder of the match head which is the bit that is very wind resistant.

I guess the reference to "Pioneer" is in the military context? I've never seen these as militaria before, interesting.

Regards

Mark

[CBH]

There was a warning on my packet of these, "Do Not Light Indoors".

[Watchdog]

There was a warning on my packet of these, "Do Not Light Indoors".

Which of course is exactly what you would do if there was no warning right?

A bit like the warning on a McDonalds coffe cup "Caution hot contents" (I'd be a bit fed up if it were otherwise!!!) still, I suppose they have to work to the lowest common denominator amongst their clientele (aka Wallmartians) we have them over here too

Regards

Mark

[HPL2008]

Pursuiters, like fireworks, were indispensable in the field. Here is a typical matchstick made of plywood and cardboard of a famous manufacturer of that time, as well as a bakelite dozer, in which so-called Sturmholzer were kept, which were insensitive to wind and damp

Actually, "Feuerzeuge" are lighters ["fireworks" would be a "Feuerwerk"], and a "Döschen" [diminutive form of "Dose"] is a little box or tin, not a "dozer".

Known to the British Forces as "Matches Fusee" (Fusee is not a specifically military term and has been around as long as safety matches themselves) a very similar modern type is included in ration packs and, as Chris indicates, can be found in many proprietary survival kits as "windproof matches").

Come to think of it, the term as such - with a different meaning, obviously - has been around well before those safety matches: "Our leaders march with fusees..."

[rbminis]

Actually, "Feuerzeuge" are lighters ["fireworks" would be a "Feuerwerk"], and a "Döschen" [diminutive form of "Dose"] is a little box or tin, not a "dozer".

Thank you Andreas.
As I said, a rough translation.
Since I don't have the capability to add an umlaut on my keyboard, I suspected it would not be accurate.
Ralph.

[Watchdog]

Come to think of it, the term as such - with a different meaning, obviously - has been around well before those safety matches: "Our leaders march with fusees..."

Absolutely right Andreas,

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

Every day is a school day here!!

Regards

Mark
PS Slightly off topic but meant to expand knowledge, fun too!

[Kohima]

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.