Bengal Matches – a colourful story
Exhibitor : Barry Sturman
Bengal Matches are a special type of pyrotechnic match that generally burn for a longer time than ordinary matches and give off a brightly coloured flame when burning. They have a wooden splint and two composition parts : one at the tip to initiate combustion, and the other adjoining the head down a long length of the splint.
Bengal matches are still manufactured today that flare either green, red or silver, and most are made in India.
Pyrotechnic Matches
A mixture of solid chemicals that can burn without oxygen from the air is called a ‘pyrotechnic composition’. Such mixtures can produce a wide range of effects including heat, sound, flame, smoke, and sparks. They are used in a wide variety of devices including fireworks, flares and smokes for signaling, solid fuel rockets, and matches.
The ‘head’ of a common friction match is made from a pyrotechnic composition. In these matches the pyrotechnic composition is intended to set fire to the matchstick, and has no other purpose. The term ‘pyrotechnic matches’ is used for matches in which the burning match head has some other purpose, rather than just setting the matchstick alight. For example, the burning head might be intended to produce a stronger, more long-lasting flame than could be provided by a burning matchstick.
Normally the pyrotechnic composition in a ‘pyrotechnic match’ is coated over about one third of the length of the matchstick, so the match has a large, elongated ‘head’. The only exception is the ‘exploding’ or ‘trick’ match, in which a tiny dab of explosive composition is coated onto the tip of the matchstick. A normal igniting head is then formed over the top of this, so the match looks just like an ordinary match. Its performance when struck, however, is anything but ordinary.
In some pyrotechnic matches the composition that provides the desired effect can be ignited directly by striking the match in the usual way. The common ‘wind and waterproof’ match is a well-known example. Other pyrotechnic matches are provided with a tip of ordinary match composition that ignites the main composition when the match is struck.
Types of Pyrotechnic Matches
- Storm matches, or ship’s lifeboat matches, can light and stay alight after immersion in water and will burn in the fiercest wind
- Smoke matches are used to test ventilation systems and smoke alarms
- Fusee matches burn with a slow steady glow and are useful for lighting fuse igniters and similar pyrotechnic devices
- Insecticide matches produce smoke that kills or repels insects
- Special pyrotechnic matches are made for use as miniature, hand-held fireworks, producing effects ranging from beautiful coloured flames and showers of sparks to crackles and bangs
- Bengal matches burn with coloured flames
- Chrysanthemum matches, star matches, aster matches, edelweiss matches and sparkler matches produce sparks of various types. Other names for firework matches are fancy matches and joker matches
Examples from Switzerland
The next two pages show some labels from Switzerland. The labels on the first page show pictures of Bengal matches and Chrysanthemum matches, both unstruck and while burning. The large match heads of colour-producing composition, and the tips of ignition composition, are clearly shown. The small labels are for individual boxes, the large ones for packs of ten boxes.
The second page of Swiss labels shows the matches in use, bringing pleasure and wonder to children. These matches are very popular in Switzerland, especially for celebrating the National Day on August 1.
More Bengal matchbox labels
The labels in this exhibit are only a fraction of my Bengal match collection, which also includes skillets and empty boxes. Click on an image below to enlarge it.
