Note the damper for the tinder box above and the square one for the wooden tinder box below. This is to put out the smouldering tinder after use.
This tinder box appears to have its own conical candle snuffer. All three tinder boxes have candle holders on the lids.
The author's tinderbox with charred tinder fungus, uncharred punk wood and a musket flint..JPG)
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A Fire Box was a Tinder Box. Both names might be used to describe the equipment used to make fire, for instance a musket lock used to make fire could be called a tinder box as mentioned in Robinson Crusoe By Daniel Defoe. So by the same rule I would think that a tinderlighter could also be termed a tinder box or fire works.
'fire or Tinder-boxes the groce, containing twelve dozen boxes' [Rates (1660)].
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=58765#s1
'fire or Tinder-boxes the groce, containing twelve dozen boxes' [Rates (1660)].
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=58765#s1
What is the purpose of the pointed sticks?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Norseman.
ReplyDeleteThe pointed sticks are called spunks. They are wood splints dipped into moulten sulphur at their tip.
When using a tinder box or tinderlighter, once you have struck a spark onto the tinder and it begins to smoulder, if you touch the sulphur tip of the spunk to the glowing ember it will catch fire. You can then light your candle or your fire.
Podered sulphur can be melted over a fire in a small tin lid or similar, an old spoon would work well. Do not put too much sulphur on the wood splint or it will drip fire. Also do not breath in the fumes.
Regards, Le loup.
Hello Le Loup, just stumbled across your rather interesting blog, hope you don't mind if I tag along for a while?
ReplyDeleteVery pleased to have you along Murhy. If there is anything in particular you are interested in seeing/knowing let me know.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Le Loup.