thumb|Musket "[[Handgonne|Fitiljača" (named after the slow match used to ignite the gunpowder) used by the Serbian Army in the 15th century.]]

Slow match, also called match cord, is the slow-burning cord or twine fuse used by early gunpowder musketeers, artillerymen, and soldiers to ignite matchlock muskets, cannons, shells, and petards. Slow matches were most suitable for use around black-powder weapons because a slow match could be roughly handled without going out, and only presented a small glowing tip instead of a large flame that risked igniting nearby gunpowder. Slow match of various types was one of the first kinds of artillery fuse.

Slow matches were also used in the drilling and blasting of rock to ignite charges of gunpowder.

Design and use

The slow match attached to the lock of the matchlock gun was usually a length of hemp or flax cord that had been chemically treated to make it burn slowly and consistently for an extended period.

thumb|Artillery demonstrator with burning slow match

Modern use and replacements

Modern-day slow match (used with replica matchlock firearms) is sometimes made of cotton cord, instead of hemp, due to legalities associated with growing hemp plants.

For faster burning and modern-day applications such as for igniting fireworks, either tubed black match (sometimes termed quick match) or punk are generally used instead of slow match.

See also

  • Black match
  • Hand cannon
  • Flash pan
  • Fuse (explosives)
  • Matchlock
  • Linstock
  • Punk (fireworks)
  • Touch hole

References

  • The Slow Match Website
  • Handgonnes and Matchlocks
  • Slowmatch and Handgonnes

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