Military Lighters - All eras all brands

[mtnman]

21 hours ago, yokota57 said:

Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam. LTC Donald Verner Schnepf, USA (Ret) 1923-1994 (WW2 Korea Vietnam). Japanese-made "Wellington".

Yokota, just outta the park man! And I love the script lettering and numbering and the information all the way down to his serial number. Very well done sir! Thanks so much for sharing

[mtnman]

On 7/22/2023 at 4:35 PM, easterneagle87 said:

Second, US Army 9th INF on one side, MICHAEL P. PAVILONIS, HSB 3/34 ARTY, VIETNAM 1969. 

 

Very nice find on Pavilionis 9th ID Easterneagle! Excellent biography piece with all the necessary info to see what this guy did! Well done sir! 

[mtnman]

On 2/23/2007 at 9:39 PM, jim2 said:

Here is my only other lighter. It is a zippo, I am unsure of the year probably 60's or 70's? It belonged to a Marine named Chuck Webster that served in Japan.

Jim I've looked at that lighter from Japan with Mount Fuji on it again and again, what a very memorable find as well as unique lettering and artistic design! Thank you for sharing with us! 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

A gift to an American officer:

 

 

[jmd62]

Great looking lighter Cobra 6!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks, jmd62. Curiously, I met him in Vietnam since, after I got out of the field, I was at a Tae Kwon Do demonstration in Saigon and he was the founder of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association so he officiated.

 

[yokota57]

4 hours ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

A gift to an American officer:

 

 

Ichi-Ban !!!

[Mr. Bushido]

21 hours ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

アメリカ人将校への贈り物:

 

 

I think it's a very valuable item.

 

The Korean words engraved on the lighter mean "【주월한국군사령관】Commander of the Korean Forces in Vietnam" and "【중장 채명신】Lieutenant General Chae Myung-shin".

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thank you, Mr. Bushido, for your translation. Much appreciated ! It is a “Keeper” for sure.

[triplecanopy]

Hey guys,

i don't have much to add to this topic but a Zippo lighter I once had is shown below just so I stay on subject. It is long gone.

 

I want to ask everyone to be on the lookout for a lighter that I brought back from Vietnam. It was stolen or lost in 1973 at a beach near Hurlburt Field-Eglin AFB. That was 50 years ago but when I saw this topic I looked through all the photos and it wasn't there. Just in case it shows up, please let me know.

 

Like many a soldier departing Vietnam, I bought a lighter and had it engraved with a 101st Airborne Division Patch and a UH-1H helicopter. Also it had my name on it and I think a CIB. The tab on the 101st Patch has a  space between Air and Borne.

If any one finds it I would love to get it back or at least know it is in good hands.

Thanks.

[triplecanopy]

The image of the 101st Abn Div patch I describe above looks like this:

Thanks to all.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks for the “Be on the Lookout”, triplecanopy. Given the number of people that collect Zippos on this thread and on the Forum it can’t hurt to have lots of extra sets of eyes looking for that lighter. Fingers crossed!

[Basic Rifleman]

Great thread. I was hoping to receive a little help in identifying this unmarked lighter. I’ve taken it completely apart and have found no markings. It came from a WWII Naval Aviator estate lot of wings, and Sikorsky helicopter pilot awards.  The lighter is heavy and has a very solid build quality. It may be plated or polished Sterling, but again, no markings. Any help with any type of identification on this lighter (possible maker and or age) would be most appreciated. 

[yokota57]

2 hours ago, Basic Rifleman said:

Great thread. I was hoping to receive a little help in identifying this unmarked lighter. I’ve taken it completely apart and have found no markings. It came from a WWII Naval Aviator estate lot of wings, and Sikorsky helicopter pilot awards.  The lighter is heavy and has a very solid build quality. It may be plated or polished Sterling, but again, no markings. Any help with any type of identification on this lighter (possible maker and or age) would be most appreciated. 

The insert appears to be a "Storm King" (Murfreesboro, TN). Is the case magnetic? Very cool lighter! Ichi-Ban!

[Basic Rifleman]

Thanks for the kind words. It certainly is a looker. Here are some pics of the inside. It’s close, but there are some notable differences. No text or arrow, and this one has an offset area on the bottom. The ridges on the right are also a little different. I just tested it for magnetism, and sadly this one isn’t made of silver. It had me fooled….

[yokota57]

18 hours ago, Basic Rifleman said:

Thanks for the kind words. It certainly is a looker. Here are some pics of the inside. It’s close, but there are some notable differences. No text or arrow, and this one has an offset area on the bottom. The ridges on the right are also a little different. I just tested it for magnetism, and sadly this one isn’t made of silver. It had me fooled….

"Storm King" insert: I'm going by the distinctive pattern of the six holes per side on the chimney and the style of hinge. There were variations over the years which would account for the offset on the bottom and lack of script on yours. The body of your insert appears to be aluminum which is common to "Storm King". As to the case, the "No-Name" cases I've encountered over the years were most likely Asian-made. Of course, there are exceptions out there. THE MAIN THING: A very interesting lighter! Thanks very much for posting it!

[mtnman]

On 8/8/2023 at 11:13 AM, Cobra 6 Actual said:

A gift to an American officer:

Cobra, that lighter is in pristine shape and a fantastic find exacerbated by the fact that you met the man! Absolutely fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing

[mtnman]

I will let this Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA- A-Team) 5133 lighter given as a gift, probably to their leader. The lighter is from 2009 when this team was completely immersed in the war on terror in Afghanistan and other undisclosed locations around the world.... The Best of the Best. America is blessed to still have access during this time, to such manhood that bears justice without question.

 

This 2009 Zippo is custom engraved with incredible precision. The last picture is the helmet with the centerpiece on top of the helm which is used in the engraving on the lighter instead of the skull seen on the other examples....Just a fantastic piece of history. 

 

 

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) History

 

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) derives its lineage from the 1st Special Service Force, a combined Canadian-American regiment during the Second World War. The force was constituted on July 5, 1942, in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 1st Special Service Force.

Activated on July 9, 1942, the unit trained at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana. The force participated in the Italian Campaign, and saw action in Southern France before being inactivated on February 6, 1945.

The 5th SFG (A) was constituted on 15 April 1960 in the Regular Army and designated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th SFG (A), 1st Special Forces.

On September 21, 1961, the 5th SFG (A) was officially activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Just one year later, elements of the 5th SFG (A) began serving temporary tours of duty in the Republic of South Vietnam, with the full deployment of the group by February 1965. From its operational base at Nha Trang, the group deployed throughout the four military regions within South Vietnam. The group's operational detachments established and manned camps at 270 locations throughout South Vietnam, training and leading indigenous forces of the Civilian Irregular Defense Groups. Additionally, Soldiers from the group led units of indigenous forces conducting reconnaissance, and direct-action missions throughout Southeast Asia.

Although one of the smallest units engaged in Vietnam, the group colors fly 14 campaign streamers from that conflict, and its Soldiers are among the most decorated Soldiers in the history of our nation. Eighteen Medals of Honor were awarded to Soldiers of the 5th SFG (A) (nine posthumously). The group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, two Valorous Unit Citations, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with palm) and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.

On March 5, 1971, the colors of the 5th SFG (A) were returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where the group remained until June 10, 1988 when the group colors were cased at a ceremony marking its departure from Fort Bragg. The colors were officially uncased on June 16, 1988.

The 5th SFG (A) added to its rich history of combat operations during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The group was called upon to conduct operations in Southwest Asia in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The group deployed in August 1990, and returned in April 1991. During this time, the Group conducted Foreign Internal Defense operations in support of the Saudi Arabian land forces and provided Coalition Support Teams to every allied contingent among the coalition; becoming what Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf would call "the glue that held the coalition together." The group also conducted Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action, and Combat Search and Rescue Missions.

For their service during Operation Desert Storm the group was awarded the Valorous Unit Citation on June 11, 1993.

Following Operation Desert Storm, the group conducted extensive security and humanitarian missions in Somalia and was called to support operations in Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, the group was called upon to play a major role in the war on terror. The 5th SFG (A) was the first American unit deployed into Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. From October 2001 through April 2002, Special Forces detachments of the 5th SFG (A) conducted unconventional warfare against Taliban and Al Qaeda forces. Within six months, the 5th SFG (A), a regimental-sized force, effectively destroyed the popular base of the Taliban government and toppled the terrorist-sponsoring state of Afghanistan. The group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its extraordinary accomplishments during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Immediately after redeploying to Fort Campbell, the group began preparations for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Within six months, elements of the Group deployed back into the theater of operations. In January 2003, the entire group completed deployment back to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Upon the commencement of combat operations, the group conducted the full array of Special Forces missions from Theater Ballistic Defense in the Western Desert to unconventional warfare in Southern and Central Iraq. These efforts facilitated the defeat of Saddam Hussein's regime.

From the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the fall of the Baath Regime in 2003 through the final withdrawal of U.S. Forces and the end of Operation New Dawn in 2011, 5th SFG (A) has provided the full spectrum of Special Operations in support of Coalition Forces and the Iraqi government. The pinnacle of these achievements are evident in the thousands of successful operations targeting terrorist and insurgent networks through the training and development of the most capable and effective Iraqi Military, Police and Special Operations Forces. Special Forces Soldiers have proven again to be our nation’s ultimate combat multiplier, building skills and capabilities with multiple partner nation security forces across the CENTCOM area of operations, always prepared to execute the most hazardous and sensitive special operations when and where directed.

Recently, elements from 5th SFG (A) have returned to Afghanistan to train and advise Arab units participating in the international coalition. Additionally, detachments remain deployed throughout the CENTCOM area of operations, building, training and conducting sensitive Special Forces missions with partner nation and opposition forces throughout the Middle East.

As Soldiers of the group continue to serve on battlefields around the world, they uphold the highest of standards as paragons of the Special Forces motto: De Oppresso Liber, "to free the oppressed”.

 

[Basic Rifleman]

On 8/15/2023 at 11:21 AM, yokota57 said:

"Storm King" insert: I'm going by the distinctive pattern of the six holes per side on the chimney and the style of hinge. There were variations over the years which would account for the offset on the bottom and lack of script on yours. The body of your insert appears to be aluminum which is common to "Storm King". As to the case, the "No-Name" cases I've encountered over the years were most likely Asian-made. Of course, there are exceptions out there. THE MAIN THING: A very interesting lighter! Thanks very much for posting it!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, Yokota. The info gained on this website never ceases to amaze!  I'm really trying to ID the original owner, and am curious if you'd be comfortable giving an approximation of the age on this one? 

[yokota57]

1 hour ago, Basic Rifleman said:

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, Yokota. The info gained on this website never ceases to amaze!  I'm really trying to ID the original owner, and am curious if you'd be comfortable giving an approximation of the age on this one? 

I would say Korean War up to perhaps the early 1960s. If only he had engraved his family name!

[Basic Rifleman]

23 minutes ago, yokota57 said:

I would say Korean War up to perhaps the early 1960s. If only he had engraved his family name!

Wow. You're spot on. I just found this veteran through the Ancestry site. John Wheeler McConnell was a Naval Aviator in WWII and transferred to the Naval Reserves through the Korean War, which is likely when he got this lighter... This according to the April 1951 Navy/USMC Officer Register. Thanks again, Yokota!  

[Cobra 6 Actual]

That ODA lighter is a beauty, mtnman. And, Basic Rifleman, it looks like you and Yokota57 have solved that mystery!

[mtnman]

On 8/14/2023 at 1:53 PM, Basic Rifleman said:

Great thread. I was hoping to receive a little help in identifying this unmarked lighter. I’ve taken it completely apart and have found no markings. It came from a WWII Naval Aviator estate lot of wings, and Sikorsky helicopter pilot awards.  The lighter is heavy and has a very solid build quality. It may be plated or polished Sterling, but again, no markings. Any help with any type of identification on this lighter (possible maker and or age) would be most appreciated. 

BR, that is a splendid find and I really like the zipper pattern lettering!, Thanks so much for sharing! 

[Thrifter_01]

A 1946 aluminum lighter attributed to a marine in Tientsin China. Rough and great.

 

 

 

[yokota57]

29 minutes ago, Thrifter_01 said:

A 1946 aluminum lighter attributed to a marine in Tientsin China. Rough and great.

 

 

 

Wow! Fantastic lighter! "The Windy" is an aluminum lighter made by the Matawan Co. (Matawan, NJ USA). Thanks for posting it.