Tinder Tubes.

There has been a lot of speculation as to the use of the Tinder Tube and its manufacture date. Personally I have yet to see one made before the 19th century, though I see many 18th century living historians carrying these for fire lighting. I have found little information available on the Tinder Tube, however, being very familiar with 18th century fire lighting methods, I very much doubt that the Tinder Tube was ever intended for fire lighting. 
I believe that the Tinder Tube was simply a method of lighting pipes & cigarettes. After all, it is not only far easier to use a tinderbox for fire lighting, but the tinderbox is essential for the ease of processing plant tinders and charring cloth. One researcher believes that the Tinder Tube was used for firing some form of hand held firearm or cannon. Again, this makes no sense as the matchlock had its own match holder, and the cannon used a Linstock.

Common copy of a tinder tube as sold by Track Of The Wolf.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/23/1/TINDER-TUBE

Three antique 19th century tinder tubes.

Three Russian cigarette cases with built in tinder tubes.

http://www.ascasonline.org/windowGENNA68.html;

If anyone has any further information on tinder tubes, I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Thank you.
Keith.