Vintage lighter

So, I dug up this old lighter about 10 years ago while clearing out an old house. If anyone here knows their stuff when it comes to vintage lighters, let me know what you think this might be worth... all I know for sure is it's at least 50 years old. There aren't any numbers or labels on it, so I'm guessing it was handmade or something? It's a petrol one and it still works like a charm—hits a flame perfectly 😁

Here are some shots of it, so hit me with your best guesses! 🙂



If I posted this in the wrong spot, mods, please feel free to move it

Thanks a ton!

Maybe you should try getting some quotes on those small classified ads sites? Or just head over to the men's corner on one of those forums dedicated to lighters. That said, this subforum is perfectly fine for what you need.

P.S. That lighter is actually pretty cool 😬

"Whoa, look at this... a hidden compartment... what’s it say here... Z... Y... clone... B... hmm, that's weird. I'm gonna crack this open..."

😬

So I was chatting with my grandma yesterday about that lighter, and she goes, "Honey, that's some gear from the Russian military..." Does anyone actually know anything more about this thing? 😕

I actually own one just like that; I really need to track it down. Around the thicker part of the tube—where the wick is located, if you will—there is a sliding sleeve. This sleeve has perforations at the top, much like a Zippo lighter, and when you slide it upward, it serves as a wind guard. I suspect its design might date back to WWII.

Once I manage to find it, I will take some photos and upload them here for everyone to see.

Just head over to a local antique shop and ask around...

Robert Wells6 said:I’ve got one just like that! I really need to go dig it out. It’s got this sleeve around the thicker part of the tube—you know, right where the wick sits—that you can slide up and down. There are little holes punched in the top of the sleeve (kind of like a Zippo design), so when you slide it up, it acts as a wind guard. Pretty sure it’s an old relic from WWII.

If I track it down, I'll snap a pic and throw it up here.

Do it! Now I'm dying to see what it looks like.

Sophia Moore21 said:Just hit up a local antique shop and ask around...

Man, I wish we actually had some decent antique shops around here, but nope... and I am definitely not driving all the way to Chicago just to hunt down a single lighter.😁

Just throw it on Craigslist and claim you found some relic from the era of Louis XIV, then tell them the price is four thousand dollars.

Make sure it isn't a fake.

Also, yeah, that thing is from WWII... I know because I own an identical one, though mine's just a replica I picked up in Seattle (USA). It’s waterproof, and from what I know, military units in South America used them. Mine came with a certificate of authenticity and a cloth bag. So, if yours actually is the real deal, you'll make way more money selling it online.

Carol Fisher20 said:Better make sure it’s not a fake.

And yeah, about that WWII thing... I totally get it because I actually own one just like it! Mine's a replica, though—picked it up in Seattle (USA). It's waterproof and, from what I've heard, forces from South America used them back in the day. It even came with its own certificate of authenticity and a little cloth pouch. So, if yours actually *is* the real deal, you could probably score some serious cash on eBay.

But how am I supposed to know if it's fake? 🤷

Man, I don't have any fancy papers or a pouch... hey, post a picture of that lighter of yours! I wanna see what this bag looks like.

A little dark blue fabric pouch.
It should have some labels at the bottom.

My lighter is sitting in my other apartment...

Thanks driftingmason6 for the photos.

This lighter is clearly the work of a skilled hand. Lighters like this were mass-produced back during WWI—that’s where the term "trench art" comes from. Obviously, they weren't being made in actual trenches, but rather in barracks or workshops near the front lines. Most were made from brass since it was everywhere, sometimes mixed with copper.

As for this specific one, I’d guess it’s maybe 50 years old, just like you said. Some guys kept making these kinds of lighters in their shops after WWII, which is probably what happened here. Honestly, it's tough to be 100% sure about authenticity, but based on my years doing this, I’ll take a shot at it. I have plenty of genuine "trench art" pieces in my collection, but also stuff made much more recently—like in prisons or by private craftsmen who just had too much time on their hands.

Value-wise? Since it isn't even close to the World Wars, I'd say it's worth maybe $10-$15 at best. Real "trench art" lighters can hit $20 or even several hundred bucks on the global market. Just a heads up though, there are a ton of fakes out there, and some are pretty damn good.

So, driftingmason6, don't bother looking for any certificate or paperwork of authenticity because that doesn't exist for a piece like this. You aren't going to make much money off it if you try to sell it anyway. My advice? Use it for style if you smoke, or just keep it as a cool little trinket.

And yeah, with all due respect to your grandma, there’s nothing on this lighter that links it to the Russian military. Though, I guess it’s possible it was brought over from Russia.

To wrap it up: it’s maybe 50 years old, worth no more than $10, and has nothing to do with any wars or militaries. If anyone actually wants to see a real "trench art" lighter, I’m happy to post some pics. Right now, I’ve got a WWI-era ashtray with a matchbox holder handy, just so you guys can see what the real deal looks like.



Hope that helps a bit. Cheers!
👋

P.S.: Forgot to mention, your lighter isn't complete. It's missing the chain that connects the flint tube (under the wheels) to the wick cap.

I happen to have a Zippo lighter from the VII series, and I was wondering if there might be any collectors here who could give me an idea of what it might be worth. thanks🙂

Uh, I guess it really depends on a ton of stuff—limited runs, special editions, the insert, how mint it is, materials, the finish, etc.—so you’re probably better off just posting some photos so we can actually take a look at it.
Cheers

mellowviper13 said:Well, I suppose it really comes down to a variety of factors—things like whether it was a limited run, a special edition, the specific inlay, how well it’s been kept, the materials used, or even just the final finish. It might be best if you could share some photos so we can try to get a better sense of its value.
Best regards,

I'll probably drop a like in a few days, though I think this is one of those lighters they produced for the US military, and they aren't particularly common around here in the States.