19 replies to this topic

[phildunford]

Those as old as me (!) may recall the 'hold in a gloved hand' fireworks of the 1960's and earlier decades.

Does anone have a scan of a label or even just a picture of one?

I've looked at 'the fireworks museum' (usually a good bet) but I can't seem to find any.

Both golden and silver rain were sold in this format if I recall...

Any help much appreciated.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Phil,

If I recall correctly,....didn`t they have red painted wooden handles? and didn`t sell them as hand held flares (red)? Im sure they were made of the same mix as coloured matches (used to love them).

Can`t find any pics at the moment,..but will keep looking!

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 27 July 2009 - 08:59 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

They certainly had turned wooden handles, you didn't hold the tube.

[Firefiend]

Hi Phil. Not all the best of pictures, but you might remember some of these!

An interesting area and although I've collected several pictures over the years, I only have 3-4 of the actual items.

Pain's Fireworks with Green Touchpaper were all hold in hand - you can just about make this out on the Broadcast Spangles.

I think some of the early Astra waxed end fireworks were also hold in hand - I liked some of the instructions, such as "hold using a woollen glove"!!

Some of the very early hold in hand fireworks such as the 1d blue Martian Ray did not even have the luxury of a waxed end!

I really miss these

Astra Firework - Bengal Light
Astra Firework - Crackling Torch
Astra Firework - Koh-I-Noor
Pain's Firework - Broadcast Spangles
Pain's Firework - Chinese Drop Label
Pain's Firework - Crimson Shower
Pain's Firework - Flambo Jambo Label
Pain's Firework - Flower Pot
Pain's Firework - Flower Pot Label
Pain's Firework - Golden Rain
Pain's Firework - Golden Rain Label
Pain's Firework - Martian Ray
Pain's Firework - Martian Ray Label
Pain's Firework - Silver Rain Label
Pain's Firework - Starlight
Rainbow Firework - Olympic Flare
Standard Firework - Hand Light
Standard Firework - Olympic Torch (1)
Standard Firework - Olympic Torch (2)
Standard Firework - Snowdrop
Standard Firework - Spitfire (1)
Standard Firework - Spitfire (2)
Wessex Firework - Golden Rain
Wilder's Firework - Festival Torch

[The Legendary Graham]

i remember using the standard ones with the plastic handle when i was a kid although not which particular type, i can remember using one of these on my back door step many years ago i was probably 5 or 6 at the time.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Thanks firefiend (lovely collection),........the shape & colour of the handle on the `Standard Hand-held` is very familier!

Do you have any pics of the coloured matches/boxes you buy in the 60s?

[Firefiend]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks. I have a few boxes - think these are what you mean.

[phildunford]

Thanks all - seem to have struck a chord here.

Firefiend - Brilliant! Just what I was looking for.

BTW the reason for all this is that I am one of the team manning the UKPS stand at Stanford Hall this weekend and I'm showing a selection of dummy fireworks as part of the display. I'm concentrating on ones that are now 'banned' (Bangers, helcopters, Air Bombs, jumping jacks etc) to remind the public what has been taken away from them! I could not seem to find any 'hand helds' but now I have plenty of material.

[David]

I'm concentrating on ones that are now 'banned' (Bangers, helcopters, Air Bombs, jumping jacks etc) to remind the public what has been taken away from them! I could not seem to find any 'hand helds' but now I have plenty of material.

It would be interesting to see what was banned, and by date.

Working backwards-

Single tube airbombs, small "bang" rockets", banned from sale 1 Jan 2004.

Bangers, "mini" rockets, firecracker strips - 1997 (not sure when).

Thats all I know. Anyone know dates before that (jumpin jacks etc). Also, when was the 120 decible limit, the powder limits on rockets changed etc?

I think it would be useful (for information/historical purposes) to see a comparative table.

Edited by David, 28 July 2009 - 01:04 PM.

[Firefiend]

Hi Phil

Good luck with the UKPS Stand. It's pretty grim the way that so many fun things (if correctly used) are slowly being eroded away in all walks of life. There will always be a "most dangerous" firework for certain people to focus on, even if you banned 90% of them. Eventually you would be down to tiny fountains and these would then become the most dangerous items around.

During my years of collecting I've tried to compile a table of information on various changes to the rules relating to fireworks. A lot of this data was from an interesting DTI factsheet on fireworks which I have. Hope it helps.

FIREWORK BANS AND REGULATIONS (TO GENERAL PUBIC)
Type - Date of change/ban
Limit the size of Rockets to 4oz. Calibre <1960s Abandon the sale of Thunder Flashes <1960s
Stop making Ground Torpedo type fireworks <1960s
Stop discharging Fireworks which have an unpredictable flight From 1961
Advise retailers not to sell Bangers more than one month before November 5th From 1961
Reduce the **plosive content of Bangers from 40 grains of gunpowder to 30 grains 1963
Hold in Hand Fireworks to have wooden or plastic handles and limited to colour effect rather than spray or shower 1968
All fireworks except Catherine Wheels and Jumping Crackers to be labelled "Not to be held in hand" 1968
All bangers to be capped or sold in boxes or closed containers 1970
Print more specific instructions on all Rockets and Roman Candles 1974
Stop selling Jumping Crackers 1975
Advise retailers not to display fireworks in shops until three weeks before November 5th 1976
Minimum Age Limit Raised from 13 to 16 1976
Stop selling Flying Fireworks, e.g. Flying Saucers, Helicopters, etc. 1977
Halve the number of ground Bangers sold in previous years 1977
Box and package all fireworks with the exception of larger Fireworks and Sparklers 1977
Reduce the **plosive content of Bangers (30 grains) by some 20% 1979
Minimum Age Limit Raised from 16 to 18 15-Oct-97
All fireworks on Sale to the General Public Must Comply With BS7114 15-Oct-97
Bangers (Category 3) / Chinese Crackers / Category 4 Fireworks, e.g. Mortars banned 15-Oct-97
Erratic Flight Fireworks banned, e.g. Helicopters, Flyers, Jumping Crackers 15-Oct-97
Sparklers - Maximum Size 470mm 15-Oct-97
Mini-Rockets (<300mm x 12mm) 31-Dec-97
Bangers (Category 2) banned 31-Dec-97
Air Bombs banned 05-Nov-03
Small & Whistlebang (Shrieking) Rockets 05-Nov-03
Parachute Floating Lights banned ? (Unsure, but may have been at same time as fireworks of erratic flight)

Some of the above dates were the formal date of banning, but voluntary agreements with the trade existed before this time, e.g. for Jumping Crackers

[concept]

Fantastic Firefiend! You can see from that list the gradual decline of the industry . However the "great northan firework company" are advertising "Big Boss" rockets (£40.00 for 2) which are 6oz calibre, could this just be advertsing gimmick? I Don't think parachute items are banned, I've seen them for sale on several occasions, although they were coloured smoke parachute cakes, cosmic branded I think.

[dave]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks. I have a few boxes - think these are what you mean.

those begal boxes are beautiful. I used to buy loads of them.
They looked good with snow around to add to the colour reflection.
AND, i don't know of anyone getting burnt with them (no nanny state in the good old days)

dave321

[David]

However the "great northan firework company" are advertising "Big Boss" rockets (£40.00 for 2) which are 6oz calibre, could this just be advertsing gimmick? I Don't think parachute items are banned, I've seen them for sale on several occasions, although they were coloured smoke parachute cakes, cosmic branded I think.

Presumably they are pyromeshed or similar?

Isn't the restriction for 1.4G 20 Grammes, which is less than 1 ounce?

Whats the limit for 1.3G?

[crystal palace fireworks]

Hi Crystal Palace Fireworks. I have a few boxes - think these are what you mean.

Terrific firefiend,.......the single colour printing on the red & green boxes are exactly how I remember them, and of course the match itself,.....they were really cool to show off to your mates.

Also weren`t the matches individually wrapped in paper or seperated inside the match boxes? and was the silver rain from a later date?

Isn`t it sad that we rarely see any "Made in England" wording on any packaging nowadays!

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 29 July 2009 - 07:52 AM.

[Firefiend]

The Bronco Brand (which were Octavius Hunt) were wrapped as a group in several different types of paper over the years. There was definitely brown paper used and I think even newspaper and plain paper. The Astra Bengals were from the early 1990s and sealed in a little polythene bag. The Octavius Hunt website showed Bengal Matches up to a couple of years ago, but now they have disappeared - not sure if they sell them anymore.