What is this thing?

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ANSWERS:

Trench lighter, I’ve got one from my father. The original version was often made from spent rounds. Using the cartridge, a few modifications and you have a lighter. I had a twenty calibre case with an old threepenny coin soldered in the base. That too was a lighter.
Army lighter that lights in the wind while covering the flame so you wouldn’t get your face shot off
It is a lighter however it is likely it’s a replica.

It’s a miniature nuclear bomb hand grenade, DON’T pull the pin!!
Looks like a copy of an Austrian 1920s IMCO wind proof lighter
Looks like a bobbin for an old treadle sewing machine.
Its a lighter iv got one made of brass
Windless lighter..
Hard as heck to find parts for it,but well worth the effort to make it work.

Awesome find
Miniature German hand grenade used by trained suicide ferrets in WW 1. They ran up your pants leg and detonated it at a critical junction, thus damaging many Privates’ privates.
It’s military torchlight for when you cannot like campfires when you’re in the military
I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.
Trench lighter ww2
Windproof lighter
I have one and its a lighter.
It’s a coconut, duh.
Prototype proto pipe
Steam punk suppository
Fire starter,flint
A vintage lightsaber
A vibrator from 1890.

The WW1 Trench Lighter is an iconic piece of history, a testament to the ingenuity born out of necessity during wartime. Soldiers in the trenches of World War I needed a reliable way to light their cigarettes or pipes amidst the harsh conditions of trench warfare. Traditional lighters were often unreliable in the wet and muddy environment of the trenches.

Enter the Trench Lighter. This simple yet effective device was typically made of metal, featuring a hinged mechanism that protected the flame from being extinguished by wind or rain. Its design allowed soldiers to easily ignite it with one hand, leaving the other hand free for other tasks.

These lighters were often crafted from spent bullet casings or other scrap materials found on the battlefield, showcasing the resourcefulness of soldiers faced with adversity. While their primary function was to provide light and fire, they also became cherished keepsakes for many soldiers, serving as tangible reminders of their wartime experiences.

Despite being relics of a bygone era, WW1 Trench Lighters continue to be sought after by collectors and history enthusiasts alike, offering a tangible connection to the soldiers who once carried them in the trenches of the Great War.

MORE…
The WW1 Trench Lighter, also known as a “pipe lighter” or “pocket lighter,” holds a unique place in the annals of military history. Born out of the exigencies of trench warfare during World War I, these lighters were not just functional tools but also symbolic artifacts of soldierly resilience and innovation.

The design of the Trench Lighter was ingeniously simple yet effective. Typically crafted from brass, steel, or other durable metals, it consisted of a tubular casing with a hinged lid that protected the flame from being extinguished by the elements. A flint and striking wheel mechanism inside enabled the user to produce a spark, igniting the fuel reservoir within.

One of the most distinctive features of these lighters was their adaptability to the harsh conditions of trench warfare. They were designed to withstand the damp, muddy, and windy environment prevalent in the trenches of World War I. The hinged lid not only shielded the flame but also prevented the loss of fuel, ensuring a reliable ignition even in adverse weather conditions.

What makes Trench Lighters particularly intriguing is their often makeshift construction. Many soldiers crafted their own lighters using whatever materials were readily available, including spent bullet casings, shell casings, or other scrap metal salvaged from the battlefield. This resourcefulness not only provided soldiers with a practical means of lighting their cigarettes or pipes but also served as a form of personalization, each lighter bearing the unique marks of its creator.

Beyond their utilitarian function, Trench Lighters held significant sentimental value for the soldiers who carried them. They became cherished mementos, imbued with memories of camaraderie, hardship, and survival amidst the horrors of war. Engraved initials, regimental insignia, or other personal markings often adorned these lighters, transforming them into tangible links to the past.

While the heyday of Trench Lighters may have passed with the end of World War I, their legacy endures. Today, these vintage lighters are prized by collectors and history enthusiasts for their historical.

Scroll to Top