Firework Bangers: The Banned Firework That Brits Still Miss

Hiya mate … d’ ya’ sell bangers?

I have worked in the fireworks business now for almost 25 years and in that time, I personally must have had this question posed a few hundred times or more annually.

Oddly, even young men who were very small children when the banger was banned in the UK still ask for them — usually thanks to their dads who still have a smile when recalling their misspent youth. They are still spoken of in ‘hushed tones’ as brilliant and of course were the definitive ‘boys toy’ to the vast majority of men.

Oddly, even young men who were very small children when the banger was banned in the UK, still they ask for them - usually thanks to their dads who still have a smile when recalling their miss-spent youth. They are still spoken of in ‘hushed tones’ as brilliant and of course were the definitive ‘boys toy’ to the vast majority of men.

What Were Firework Bangers?

There were two main types of banger: gunpowder bangers and aluminium flash powder bangers. Bangers were essentially single-shot fireworks consisting of rolled paper with gunpowder inside and a fuse at the top. They were to be lit and then thrown where they exploded within a couple of seconds.

Bangers, as I recall from my youth, did indeed ‘go off’ with a very pleasing and relatively decent ‘bang’. The smell of ‘rotten eggs’ from the sulphur and the knowledge that they looked like Wile E Coyote’s Acme explosives just added to the mystique that fireworks — and in particular bangers — hold today.

A Brief History of Firework Bangers in the UK

Those of a certain age will recall some of the hard-hitting Public Information Films of the 60s and 70s and in particular the one about fireworks, which was essentially the beginning of the end for the humble banger.

Back in the early 1930s, there were literally hundreds of halfpenny bangers on the market, which today would cost around 40p each. After the war years, when materials for the production of fireworks were limited, unfortunately the quality of the firework began to suffer — but they were still the most popular item in the pyro range.

Fast-forward to the 50s and the love affair with the banger was still alive and well. Wizard Fireworks, based out of Shoreditch in London, saw the continued potential in the banger and determined to corner the market share. The little banger and associated garden fireworks became the mainstay of their business through to the early 60s when pressure from anti-firework lobbyists and financial constraints was brought to bear on Wizard — heralding the end of the business.

Why Were Firework Bangers Banned?

The banger managed to eke out another 20 years before being banned from sale, mainly thanks to their irresponsible use and association with antisocial behaviour. Bangers could be dangerous if misused, and campaigns in the 70s and 80s pushed for greater safety around fireworks, ultimately leading to the UK ban in 1997.

Apart from periodic ‘copies’ being found during firework season, the UK is now largely banger-free.

The Enduring Fascination with Bangers

So, are these little innocuous pyro devices really a loss to the industry, or just spoken of fondly because they are no more — along with our youth? Who knows, but one thing is for certain: if by some miracle they were reintroduced to our range, the queues would stretch from London to us in Sheffield!

Can You Still Buy Firework Bangers Today?

In short — not the old-school kind. However, if you're after loud bangs and the thrill that bangers used to bring, there are plenty of modern, legal alternatives in the UK that can scratch that itch.

Some of the loudest fireworks we stock include:

• Napalm 19 shot — a budget barrage that delivers serious decibels

• The King Rocket — a rocket with a massive bang

• Dreadnought— go big or go home with this multi-shot barrage with earth-shaking reports
  

Safer Alternatives to Traditional Bangers

Modern fireworks are designed to be safer but still impressively loud. Whether it’s high-decibel barrages or salute rockets, there’s no shortage of fireworks that can bring the noise.

Want to go BIG on sound? Check out our Loud Fireworks collection — perfect for those who still long for the visceral experience of the banger days.

Planning a Nostalgic Fireworks Display?

If you’re planning your own garden display and want that satisfying bang, we’ve got you covered. From DIY display packs to loud barrages, we provide everything you need — complete with firing guides.