Important: Safety Warning
This page contains instructions involving gunpowder or other explosive or pyrotechnic compositions. Preparing explosives as described has caused severe injuries and deaths, and is illegal in most places.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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To Make Roman Candles
The cases for Roman candles are not choked, but well secured at the bottom with clay. A small charge of gunpowder is first introduced, then a star, followed by a charge of composition (see No. 2063); these are gently rammed down, and the same routine of gunwide enough to make about 3 thicknesses powder, star, and composition, is repeated when rolled over the rod, and the choking until the case is full. Lastly, prime and close done after each piece is rolled. When finish- with touch paper. The stars are flat cylinders ed, the rod is withdrawn from the mouth of of a paste composition, cut to fit the bore of the case, and the cap and wire from the other the case, and having a hole bored in their centre to allow the fire to pass through to the end.