What is "slowmatches"

Usage examples of "slowmatches".

Knowing full well the incipient dangers into which they rode, the peril that might lie between them and the royal camp to the northeast, all rode at least partially armed, weapons ready and slowmatches all lit and smoking, only the heavier pieces of defensive armor left off .

Instead of slowmatches you have to light, you crank this clockwork spring and the wheel spins and spits sparks into a pan.

After meticulously checking their priming, some tightening the springs of wheel-locks, others blowing on and tapping ash from slowmatches before clamping them into the arms, the firing began.

Although gates of small castles and hilltop palisades slammed shut and hastily armed men appeared on wall walks, with the smoke spirals of slowmatches plain to be seen, no one of the mounted men made any move toward these pitiful defenses, for this was not a raid they rode, but a diplomatic mission.