Anybody know anything about '50's lighters?

[FTLewisBrat]

Have the opportunity to pick up this lighter, it's not something I typically collect and I really don't know much about them.

 

Apprehensive about getting into a lighter with all the fakes out there.

 

Marked like it comes from 1950's era SCARWAF 802d Engineer Aviation Battalion, Headquarters & Service.

 

Anyone have any opinions?

 

Thanks, Rick

[FTLewisBrat]

Back

[saxecoburg]

it's probably original. Most of the fakes are Vietnam era and tend to be "cool" units like recon or Special Forces. Plus most from the 1950s lighters don't have a huge collectors base, so they aren't worth as much, which means less people fake them.

[FTLewisBrat]

Good points, thanks.

 

Any ideas on value... I think I can pick it up for about $23 shipped. I don't think that's cheap, but, would I be able to get my money back out of it?

[Wake1941]

Looks fine to me, as mentioned its usually the VN ones that are faked. This one is reasonably priced as well

[Bob Hudson]

If it's not a Zippo which means not a copy, but my experience with non-Zippo military lighters it that they're only worth a few bucks, typically $10-15 plus or minus.This is at the high end of prices so I'd suggest strating with a unit you have some interest in already, or that has some unit with a great history

[FTLewisBrat]

I see, I suppose if it was a Zippo there would be more value there.

 

Since I don't have a particular connection or interest with the subject of the lighter I'll probably pass. I was only going to pick it up because I thought it might be a good deal, thanks for helping me out.