Foley & Ruse

Toronto, Ontario (CAN) & Davenport, Iowa (USA)

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Patented in 1887, the Foley & Ruse pellet match ignition system was a collaborative design between James Samuel Foley and Joseph Ruse. An unusual pyrophoric partnership, Foley was an engineer from Chicago and Ruse a musician from Canada according to research by Denis Alsford and Edward Wright. A condensed version of their 1999 research paper is included below. Variations of this device were manufactured in Ontario and Iowa. The Foley & Ruse system is very similar to the Perry & Co. pellet match system produced in England. (EB)


Canadian Utility Patent - 1887

James S.Foley, 1887/1888

U.S. Utility Patent - 1887

James S.Foley, 1887/1888

Foley & Ruse Magazines

U.S. & Canadian versions

Foley & Ruse Magazine

with match pellets box

Foley & Ruse Magazine

with original matches box

Foley & Ruse Pellet Matches

original packaging

Foley & Ruse Pellet Matches

original packaging

Foley & Ruse Pellet Matches

by Denis Alsford & Edward Wright

Foley & Ruse Pellet Matches

by Denis Alsford & Edward Wright

Foley & Ruse

instructions (reproduction)

Bryant & May Catalogue Entry

no. 21341, page 149

Foley & Ruse Magazines

with Perry pellet match device