Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/199

 CHAPTER IV

SIMPLE FIREWORKS—SAXON & LANCE CLASSES

The fireworks which form a class by themselves are the Saxon or Chinese flyer, and the tourbillion. Both of these consist of a single case made to revolve in the plane of its axis by jets of fire projected through a hole at right angles to the axis.

Saxons revolve about a nail driven through the case into a post or other support; they are charged with a composition of mealed gunpowder, saltpetre, and sulphur.

The case is charged thus: the lower end is firmly "clayed" and the composition is charged up to a point about 5/8 inch below the centre, clay is then charged for 3/4 inch, and again composition to within a short distance of the top, which is again firmly clayed. Two holes are bored near each end on opposite sides of the case, and a third hole is bored through the centre of the case at right angles to the other two and of sufficient size to take the nail or spindle on which the case revolves.

The two holes at the end may be connected with match to light simultaneously, or the time of burning may be lengthened by leading the second half from the lower end of the first lit. In the larger sizes, and generally in display work, a small case charged with a colour composition is attached to the side of the case, producing a ring of colour inside the fire of the saxon.

A smaller and cheaper form of saxon is what is in effect half of that described above, the nail being at one end and the propelling hole at the other.

Formerly saxons for display work were made with a wooden