Got a smoke, mate? Ah – no matches…

Detaille’s famous picture of French hussar General Antoine Lassalle wielding pipe rather than sabre at the Battle of Wagram

Before lighters and matches if you wanted to light a pipe or cigar, or a candle for that matter, you were a bit stuck unless you had a fire going.

But how to light the fire to begin with?

You need a tinderbox, old fellow!

Here’s a great post by Mike Rendall on those frustrating yet essential, male accessories at a time when tobacco was THE great calmer of nerves before (and after) battle.

Strike a Light! Georgian Tinderboxes

~ by cavalrytales on June 26, 2013.