Determine country of origin

This list gives you information to find out where the labels, covers or boxes were made. The list is made alphabetically and is far from complete. The first column gives the information and the second the country where it is produced/used.
See also for more info Glossary
The information refers to the situation before 1980 where Jugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and the USSR existed as undivided countries, and East and West-Germany still separated. Since that time almost no labels were produced.

Explanation for used numbers:
(1) for match(es) in local language
(2) for a place-name
(3) for a plant name
(4) for a brandname or symbol
(5) for a pricing indication

A
A (on USSR labels)
AB = Aktie Bolaget
Abdoollally Ebrahim (3)
Adamjee Hajec Dawood and Co (3)
Allumette (1)
Allumettes Citanes (4)
Allumettière de Ninove (3)
Alumeto (1)
AMCO (3)
Amorfo (1)
Annaberg (2)
Appollo (4)
A.R.
A.S.
A.T. (4)
Atom (in a double circle) (4)
USSR
Sweden
India
Burma
France/Belgium
France
Belgium
Esperanto
India
Portugal
Sweden
Sweden
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Switzerland
India
B
B (on hungarian labels)
B.
B. (Bègles)
Baikal (2)
Baltija (2)
Barnaul (2)
B.B.
BDS (4)
Bean (4)
Bell (3)
B.F. = v B.F.
B. Fürth = vB. Fürth
BIMCO (4)
Bryant & May (3)
Brymay (3)
B.S.
Hungary
Czechoslovakia
France
USSR
USSR
USSR
Czechoslovakia
Bulgaria
USA
Australia
Czechoslovakia
Austria
India
Great Britain
Great Britain
Czechoslovakia
C
Cerilla (1)
Cerino (1)
Chemicky Spolek Praha
Cheong Ming Match Co (3)
Chibrituri (1)
CIMCO
Companiia Chilena de Fosfores (3)
Companhia Fiat Lux, Rio de Janeiro
Compania Importadora del Sur S.A.
Coswig (2)
C.S.
CSN
Spanish
Italian
Czechoslovakia
Macao
Rumania
India
Chili
Brazil
Peru
East Germany
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
D
D (on french labels)
D.D. Bean & Sons Co (3)
Degtukas (2)
Diamond Match Co (The) (3)
Dolar
Drava
Drevoindustria
Drvaca
Duncan (4)
DZA
France
USA
USSR
USA
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Czechoslovakia
Yugoslavia
Australia
East Germany
E
E (on french labels)
Eddy Match Co (3)
EMCO
EN
Estanco de Fosforos
Ensv Viljandi
E.Z.
E.Z. (with cross_bow) (4)
France
Canada
India
Switzerland
Bolivia
Estonia
Czechoslovakia
Switzerland
F
F = 40 F (forint) (5)
Fabrica MARINA, Parana (3)
Fabrica MIMOSA, Parana (3)
Fabrica Nacional de Fosforos (3)
Federal Match Co PTY Ltd. (3)
FI (on french labels)
Fiammiferi (1)
Fosforeira Portuguesa Espinho (3)
Fosforeira Espanola SA. (3)
Fosfores (1)
Fyrstikk (1)
Hungary
Brazil
Brazil
Bolivia
Australia
France
Italy
Portugal
Spain
Brazil
Norway
G
Gomol (2)
Gosch & Co (H.E.) (3)
GOST
G.R.
Gyuta (1)
USSR
Denmark
USSR
Czechoslovakia
Hungary
H
H (on french labels)
Harima-Match Co Ltd. (3)
Haya-tsukegi (1)
H.E. Gosch (3)
Hjelpestikker (1)
France
Japan
Japan
Denmark
Norway
I
I (on french labels)
Impuesta Pagado por Ingreso en virtud de la Resolucion N° 9310. (Tax)
Industria Nacional Fabrica de Phosphoros, Barreto (3)
Iskra B-Bystrica (2)
France
Chili
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
J
J (on french labels)
J.H.
J.J.
J.K.
Jordbre (2)
J.R.
J.S.
J.T.
J.W.T.
France
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
K
K (on hungarian labels)
Kebrita (1)
KET
Kibrit (1)
Kibrit-ut Kibrity (1)
Kometa Riga
Kombinats Baltija Liepaja
Kometa
Korek api
KTO
Hungary
Arabic
Belgium
Turkey
Bulgaria
Latvia
USSR
USSR
Indonesia
Finland
L
L (on french labels)
L (on hungarian labels)
Letvijas Serkocinu
Li, LI
Lidköping (2)
Liepsna Kaunus
Lignimpex
Lucifer (1)
Luces (1)
Lume (1)
France
Hungary
Latvia
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
Lithania
Hungary
The Netherlands/Belgium
Mexico
Portugal
M
MACH = M.A.C.H. & Co
M.A.C.M
Masters
Match (1)
Matchstick (1)
May (4)
Mayak (2)
M.D. (4)
MEDA
Merckx (3)
Min 38 Bete (5)
M.M.
M.M.
M.M.C.O.
Moreland & Sons (3)
MZS (4)
India
India
Great Britain
English
English
Great Britain
USSR
Switzerland
India
Belgium
Rumania
Rumania
Czechoslovakia
India
Great Britain
Hungary
N
N (Mâcon)
Namar
Nationale Luciferfabriek Weert (3)
NicheroyIndustrias ‘Alves & rels’ S/A (3)
Nile Match Company (The) (3)
Ninove (2)
Nitedals Taendstickfabrik (3)
NUR
France
Israel
The Netherlands
Brazil
Egypt
Belgium
Norway
Israel
O
O (on french labels)
Ohio Match Co (3)
Osmovano Co Dolac
OTK
France
USA
Yugoslavia
Finland
P
Palitos (1)
Philippine Match Company Ltd (3)
Porin Tulitikkutehdas OY
Pozelos Kaune
PPZ
Price RE 006 of RE 009 enz. (5)
Pyreion (1)
Brazil
The Philippines
Finland
Poland
Lithuania
India
Greece
R
R.
Riesa (R)
Red Star (4)
RPR
Rozenberek (2)
R. & S.
R.T., R.T.Z.
Ruzemberok
Czechoslovakia
East Germany
USSR
Rumania
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
S
S (Saintines)
S (on hungarian labels)
SAFFA (Saffa) (Societa Anonima fiammiferi)
Säkerhets tändstickor (1)
Sarhad Match Industry (Pvt.) Ltd. Peshawar (3)
S.B.
Seita (SEITA) (3)
Serkocins (2)
SGZ (in a cercle) (4)
Shkrepca
Shqiperise
Shtetnose
Sibice (1)
Siguroni
Sikkerhetsstikker (1)
Sirius
Sirky
Smrecina b. Bystrica
Smrecina Ruzemberok
S.N.
SOK
Solo
Solo Lipnik = Solo Li
Solo Susice = Solo Su
Solo Wien
Solo Works
Spirto (1)
Spitschka (1)
STAB
Standard Match Industries (The) (3)
Startas Kaunus
STAS
STD (in a triangle)
Stekje (1) Local name
Stickor (1)
Streichhölz (1)
SU of SU I
SV (on french labels)
SV (on hungarian labels)
Szikra
France
Hungary
Italy
Sweden
Pakistan
Czechoslovakia
France
USSR
Yugoslavia
Albania
Albania
Albania
Yugoslavia
Albania
Norway
Austria
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Finland
Austria
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Austria
Czechoslovakia
Greece
USSR
Sweden
India
Lithuania
Rumania
Yugoslavia
Belgium
Finland
East Germany
Czechoslovakia
France
Hungary
Hungary
T
T (Trélazé)
Tändstick (1)
Tändsticka (1)
T.C.K. (Turklye Cumhurlyeti Kibrit)
Tekel
Terza
Tin Wah Match Co (3)
TOCT
Tomsk (2)
Tikkua (tikkuja)
Tukkukauppojen OY (3)
Tulitikku (tulitikkuja) (1)
Tulitikut
Turinsk (2)
France
Denmark
Sweden
Turkey
Turkey
Switzerland
China
USSR
USSR
Finland
Finland
Finland
USSR
USSR
U
U.A.
Union Allumetières (3)
Uddevalla (2)
URSS
Belgium
Belgium
Sweden
USSR
V
V (on french labels)
VDP Bytca
Vezuvs Riga
Viljandi (2)
Vulkan (3)
Vuurhout (1)
Vuurstek (1)
France
Czechoslovakia
Latvia
Estonia
Sweden
India
Czechoslovakia
W
W. & Co.
Wenersborg (2)
WIMCO
W.S.
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
India
Czechoslovakia
X
X (Aix-en-Provence)
Y
Yang HoChina
Z
Z (Metz)
Z.
Zapalka (1)
Zigice (1)
ZK
ZPZ
Zündholz (1)
Z.Z.
France
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Yugoslavia
Switzerland
Poland
Germany
Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia
Match in local language: Zapalky, Sirky.
Place_name: Sucice, Lipnik, Bystrica, Ruzomberok

Plants:
Solo Susice SU I
Solo Lipnik LI I
Iskra B. Bystrica BF I
Smrecina B. Bystrica BB I
Iskra Ruzomberok
Solo Works

Marks: CSN 494705 = Standard.

Matchbox labels from the years 1903-1938, issued by little factories, have the name of the company and SOLO or HELIOS printed on it. (thanks to: Milan Tomasek)

In Czech:Issued by:Factory place:
A.R.Albert RothCeske Budejovice
A.S.Adalbert ScheinostSusice
B.F.Bernard FürthSusice
B.S.Bratri (Brothers) ScheinostovePostrelmov
C.S., C.S.Ceska akciova sirkarnaCeske Budejovice
E.Z.Erzgebirgshe ZündwarenfabrikKovarska (Schmiedberg)
J.H.Julius HuchBernartice ve Slezsku
J.J.J. a J. KohnoveOpava
J.K.J. & J. KohnoveKrasno nad Becvou
J.R.Jan ReineltKuncice
J.S.Jan SvozilLostice
J.T.Jakub TaussigHorovice (Tlustice u Horovic)
M.M.Moritze Meissnera synoveTrest
S.B.Solo BudejoviceCeske Budejovice
S.N.Schell & NeffeDlouha Ves u Susice
In Slovakia:Issued by:Factory place:
G.R.Georg RitterVelka Bytca
R. & S.Reich & SteinerVelka Bytca
R.T., R.T.Z.Ruzomberska tovarna na zapalkyRuzomberok
W. & Co, WECOWolff & Co.Trnava
W.S.Wittenberg SamuZilina

Labels from the years 1939-1945 which have product under monopol Deutsche Zündwarenmonopol-Gesellschaft have only number on the labels. (thanks to: Milan Tomasek)

57Lipnik nad Becvou
120only on the labels “Haushaltware” and “Welthölzer” with Reichs symbol – eagle, producted in Dlouha Ves, Susice, Lipnik
250Susice
275Susice – only for saloon matches
299only on the labels “Welthölzer” from the same factories, like 120
503only on matches with blue label “Zünder” with key – producted in Susice and Banska Bystrica

Labels after the year 1945, including socialist labels. (thanks to: Milan Tomasek)

Identification:Factory place:
B.Bytca (solitary or with denotation “Drevoindustria” or “ISKRA”)
B.B.Banska Bystrica (solitary or with denotation “Drevoindustria” or “ISKRA”)
Chemicky Spolek PrahaPraha (only to end of the year 1945)
Drevoindustriaused only for Slovakia factories, only to the year 1948
ISKRAused only for Slowak factories with name of place (ISKRA Banska Bystrica, ISKRA Ruzomberok), only in the years 1949-58
Li, LILipnik (solitary or with denotation “SOLO”)
Smrecinafrom year 1959 used by slowak factories in Banska Bystrica and Ruzomberok
SOLOin touch with contraction factory in Susice or Lipnik or in touch of place – SOLO (Solo) Lipnik, SOLO (Solo) Susice
Su, SUSusice (solitary or with denotation “SOLO”)
R.Ruzomberok (solitary or with denotation “Drevoindustria” or “ISKRA”)
Ruzomberoksolitary or with denotation “Drevoindustria” or “ISKRA”
VDP Bytcaonly to end of the year 1945
Z. (Z.)Zilina – with denotation “Drevoindustria” only to end of the year 1946
Z.Z. (Z.Z.)Zilina – Zilinska zapalkarna – only to end of the year 1945

Hungaria
Match in local language: Gyujtó, Baros_gyufa, Szalongyufa
Place_name: Budofok, Keczkemet, Szegedin
Plants: Lignimpex: Hongarian exportcommunity.

Matchbox labels obtain the following characters according to the plant of origin:
B: Budofok
K: Keczkemet
L: Lignimpex
S: Szegedin
SZ: Szegedin

Marks and pricing:
MSZ: abbreviation for standard
MN052 20310
40F : pricing

Yugoslavia
Match in local language: Sibice (Sigurnome), zigice, drvaca.
Place_name: Osijek, Dolec.
Part of Jugoslavia uses cyrillic script, it is therefore possible to find several versions of the same label.
Plants: Drava (Osijek) and Dolac (Osmovano Co Dolac) with the following marks:

Poland
Match in local language: Zapalka
Place_name: Sianow, Gdansk, Bysrzyca, Czestochowa, Czechowice
Plants: In above mentioned cities.
Special marks: for domestic use:
(1) 74 (2) ZPZ (3) Bystrzyca (4) Przec 64 ZAP (5) 40 gr (6) PN – 69/D – 94061
(1) year of production.
(2) abbreviation of plant (Zaklady Przesnyslu Zapalczanego)
(3) one of the five place-names.
(4) about 64 matches
(5) price (CENA) 40 gr (groszy)(1 gr=1/100 Zloty)
(6) polish norm.

Czestochowa works mostly for export. The labels for export contain no special marks exception made for the mention ‘made in Poland’.

Rumania
Match in local language: Chibrituri.
Plants: Bucarest (since 1879), Briala (since 1962), Gherla (since 1984), Timisoara, Cluj.
Marks:
R.P.R. (Republica Populara Rumana)
R.S.R. (Republica Socialista Rumania)
min 38 Bete.
STAS, e.g.: STAS 2627/51 also NTR.
LEI: pricing.
CUTIA or BANI CUTIA.
TRI, TR II, TR III and TR IV with a number.
Chibrituri S.A.R.
Circle with a burning match inside.

Switzerland
Match in local language: Zündholz, Streichholz (D), Allumette (F), Fiammiferi (I), Cerino (I)
Plants: Terza (in Unterterzen)
Marks: AT, MD, ZK (Plant in Kandergrund AG.) With cross-bow.

USSR
Match in local language: Spichka
Place_name: Baikal, Baltija, Barnaul, Gomol, Mayak, Tomsk.
Special marks:
Labels with cyrillic script and mostly on multiple rows with small characters:
TOCT (GOST= according to standard) e.g.: TOCT 1820
Red star
WT or WTYK + number = number of matches
CCCP = USSR
Crossed circle- KA or Crossed circle/CA
lot of series containing 16 labels and a household box label printed on thick glossy paper are sold as souvenirs for export.

Samples of the used signs on labels from the different match factories which where in USSR.


1 may factory

Baikal factory

Balabanova factory

Baltija factory

Barnaul factory

Belka factory

Biysk factory

Borisov factory

Cherepovets factory

Gigant factory

Gomel factory

Iskra factory

Kometa factory

Krzvezda factory

Mayak factory

Pinskfactory

Plitspichprom factory

Pobeda factory

Proletarskoye factory

Revput factory

Sibir factory

Solntse factory

Startas factory

Turinsk factory

Viljandi factory