saucisson (pyrotechnics)

{{Short description|Primitive type of fuse}}{{More citations needed|date=November 2024}}

In early military engineering, a saucisson (French for a large, dry-filled sausage) was a primitive type of fuse, consisting of a long tube or hose of cloth or leather, typically about an inch and half in diameter (37 mm), damp-proofed with pitch and filled with black powder. It was normally laid in a protective wooden trough, and ignited by use of a torch or slow match. Saucissons were used to fire fougasses, petards, mines and camouflets.{{Cite web |title=Military Pyrotechnics |url=https://www.bulletpicker.com/pdf/Military-Pyrotechnics-Vol-1.pdf |access-date=November 1, 2024 |website=Bullet Picker |edition=1}}{{Cite journal |last=Wright |first=Laura |title=The Nomenclature of Some French and Italian Fireworks in Eighteenth-century London_proof |url=https://www.academia.edu/13905633 |journal=Academia.edu}}

Very long fascines were also called saucissons.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Later, in early 20th century mining jargon, a saucisson referred to the flexible casings used for explosives in mine operations.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}