Matches and Tins

[markj]

Re: Matches and Tins

These might be of interest:

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/saloon/matches.html

I've purchased "Ohio Blue Tip" matches fairly recently here in Lafayette IN although these may be from existing stocks that are being used up (correct me if I'm wrong but they're no longer being made).

However, Diamond Brand strike anywhere matches are still being made:

http://www.diamondbrands.com/matches/kitchen.html

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: Matches and Tins

Hello,

While many folks show the fencepost style of matches as authentic ones (including me http://www.sullivanpress.com/images/...es/matches.jpg) there are many examples of the loose style matches available. See Echoes of Glory, the Union one, page 122 or thereabouts.

Anyway, it is also true that strike-anywhere's are dangerous, and that's why they are packaged in a tight-fitting box. The theory is, should they ignite by shaking the box, then the lack of oxygen will put them out before disaster happens.

There's nothing wrong with carrying regular wooden matches. No modern matches look exactly like their period counterparts, as I find with the originals I've seen, the matchhead is much smaller on an antique match. But then again, maybe that's just due to deterioration of the chemicals over time.

Bob Sullivan
Sullivan Press

[SCTiger]

Re: Matches and Tins

Also you can refer to this article from the Amer. Match Cover Collectors,

http://www.matchcovers.com/harrell%20article.htm

and

http://www.ul.ie/~childsp/CinA/Issue61/TOC25_Phosporous.html

Both were full of useful information and worth reading.

[Maine Volunteer]

Re: Matches and Tins

Quite curious;

The other day I was cleaning out an old junk drawer, and discovered a bag of matches I used to collect from restaurants. I happened to open one of the odd shaped match covers from an Italian restaurant, "Angelino's" in Sausalito, CA -lo & behold-

Wooden matches presented in a connected row with tiny, narrow points! The wood shafts were slightly shorter and flatter than period CW matches, and they are of the safety variety, but with nice orange/ red tips. I looked for a makers mark, but could only find..."Made in Japan"....figures. I had obtained these within the last five years, so the maker is possibly still out there.

Anyway, If I can figure out how to work my digital camera, I'll attach an image, if time permits a little foot work to find manufacturer.

[Maine Volunteer]

Re: Matches and Tins

If anyone is interested, the company is "Applied Graphics" www.apgraph.com In the 'hospitality' section' they have the "20 strike match book" with the CW period appearing matches with a choice of tip colors.

There is a picture of the matches on a link on the "download image of our matches" section; they appear on the top right corner.

Of course, they don't appear to be inexpensive, but what is in this hobby. How about an order with an "Authentic Campaigner" logo :) on front?...

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Matches and Tins

Also you can refer to this article from the Amer. Match Cover Collectors,

http://www.matchcovers.com/harrell%20article.htm

and

http://www.ul.ie/~childsp/CinA/Issue61/TOC25_Phosporous.html

Both were full of useful information and worth reading.

Let me also add the site of the British Matchbox Label and Booklet Society at:
http://www.phillumeny.com/,

a site on the Belgian match industry at:

http://home.versateladsl.be/levenpie/belgian.html

and the match museum in Jonkoping, Sweden, at:

http://www.jonkoping.se/kultur/matchmuseum/engindx.htm

Safety matches, much like those we have today, were invented in Sweden in the 1840s and achieved world-wide notice at the Parisian Exhibition of 1855. See:

http://enterprise.hb.se/~match/history.html

If you look closely through the above sites, you can find period labels for imported safety matches. I find that Juggler and Balthazar Mertens both make good substitutes for the generic "lucifer" label on sutler-supplied matchboxes, though more and more I find myself using a matchsafe and strike-anywheres.

[2ndNHDOC]

Re: Matches and Tins

My personal belief is that match safes are too common in the 'authentic' ranks. Probably too many people in general carry them in the field.

You could just wrap them in paper. Here is a great quote:

"One day while we were marching through Georgia, or some other State south, the writer and possibly a score of others were surprised to see Dick step quickly out of ranks, and without a word fling his trusty old Springfield onto the ground. Before a stuttering boy could count to ten he had unburdened himself of knapsack and accoutrements, tossing them in a promiscuous heap, and then, in one time and two motions, off came his blouse.
We looked on in astonishment, and while cogitating in our own minds as to whether he had suddenly made up his mind to muster himself out and quit the service, or was getting ready to climb some fellow's frame, the sight of smoke issuing from the inner folds of the blouse, and the odor of "fried wool" and brimstone, revealed pretty clearly to our bewildered minds the true status of the case, accounting for Dick's strange actions, the only time we had ever known him to become "rattled."
A bunch of matches, rolled in paper and placed in the inside pocket of his blouse, from friction or outside pressure, had been ignited, and were making things hot in that locality.
The whole scene from beginning to end occupied less time than required to write this, and Dick was back in ranks and cool as a cucumber. The only serious results were a red spot on his left side and a partially-consumed blouse pocket, the latter a total loss, for Uncle Billy's boys didn't care to assume the additional burden of carrying a fire or life insurance policy, particularly when the other fellows were the ones who needed such things most. "

From The National Tribune, by J. Ross, 78th Ohio Vols. Courtesy Larry Stevens

Some matches came in the 'fence row' style, other loose.

So my advice is:

A. Don't Carry Matches (everyone else does - why should you?)
B. If you must carry them, use a proper match box or wrap them in paper.

Neat writing. I was especially curious to read the referance to fire and life policy speaking of insurance. Even then huh.

Brian Schwatka

[GeraldDuval]

Re: Matches and Tins

Not that it's much help to those in the states, but over here in france, most of the cheapo bar matches are of the fencepost style. They are book asfety matches, but take them out of the book and tear off the striker plate and you're good to go...

[47thNYReb]

Re: Matches and Tins

Could you possibly post a picture of these? Thanks.

[Cfarrell]

Re: Matches and Tins

Yes, please do post a picture if possible.

Most people believe that the only style match was the "card" or the "fencepost" match. This just isn't the case. There were other types such as the brick and the regular (common today) single stick style. Which was the most common? I personally don't believe that will ever be known. The manufactures of these matches really didn't sit down and write about what their matches looked like. (I have been wrong before thought!)

Today we see more of the "card" style in relic shops then anything else. I have also seen examples of the single stick style. The single stick or lose stick or what ever you want to call it do differ a bit from the ones we buy in the grocery store today. The ones I have seen are a bit thicker than the modern examples. I have seen two examples of the single stick's in excavated match tins where the tin had rusted away to reveal the matches in side. I have also seen a box of single stick matches. The only brick I have seen with matches still attached is on Mr. Jim Mayo's site. It is an interesting example to look at (his site can be found under his AC signature). Also of note I have seen two brick bottoms where the sticks have been broken off. These two were dug on or near Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. Also I have seen an example of the card that was dug. It was preserved in a small brass box that had been dropped at Mansfield, Louisiana. Both the brick and card examples are in a private musuem in Louisiana.

Regards,

[fahtz]

Re: Matches and Tins

I have some matches in my collection. They are more of the single stick style in a paper box. The box has a course sand like striker ont he bottom of the box. The picture shows just how many matches are in the box and how much burning material is on each one. The stam on the box is of a store or business. If these got wet they would for sure not work again! I have included one image with a scale ruler to show the actual size of the sticks.

[Cfarrell]

Re: Matches and Tins

Geeze Mitch, I didn't know you had that.


Around the time of the War the match was relatively new...kinda. Though the concept of putting certain chemicals on a stick to make it easier to catch on fire had been around for years...the match as we know it wasn't invented until about 1824 in England. Even then it wasn't widely distributed or even patented until later in the 30's. The name "Lucifers" which they were later sold under came about in the 30's as well. The original matches had some problems with chemicals that wasn't truly solved until the 40's...though I believe the "safety" match was invented in 1845. The first US patent was in 1835. While there were manufacturing facilities in England and the US the Swedish pretty much had a monopoly on the industry. The matches were imported to various countries, but I don't know if they were imported to the US. (I just haven't gotten that far on my research.) The invent of the match and its wide spread use over the years was believe to be the main contributor to the spike in tobacco usage around this time.

At the outbreak of the War, the blockade obviously put a damper on obtaining the matches. We can see this in a few newspaper articles where the price spikes a bit. But it wasn't long before match making facilities started popping up here and there...San Antonio and Galveston, Tx....Macon, Ga......Charleston, Sc....and I'm sure various other places.

Regards,

[Slouch]

Re: Matches and Tins

good thread!

Ive been wondering if soldiers ever used the flint and steel method for starting fires. Matches would be difficult to keep dry on campaign. While it makes sense they would use flint and steel, I have not read any accounts of them doing so.

[Cfarrell]

Re: Matches and Tins

Mike,

There are a few threads in the archives that cover this subject and the flint and steel issue as well...or I believe there is. Here is a link to another match thread..http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ighlight=match

Regards,