Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 24, 2021 Share #101 Posted August 24, 2021 Ah, copy that, BH. Thanks for the clarification. One more: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 25, 2021 Share #102 Posted August 25, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 25, 2021 Share #103 Posted August 25, 2021 That's a real beauty C6A! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 25, 2021 Share #104 Posted August 25, 2021 Thanks, Boy Howdy. I have another Zippo from a different Cav unit. I found it on the drill field at Ft. Knox back in 1968: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd62 Posted August 25, 2021 Share #105 Posted August 25, 2021 Soooo many nice lighters, thanks for sharing them guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 26, 2021 Share #106 Posted August 26, 2021 Thanks, again, jmd62. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 28, 2021 Share #107 Posted August 28, 2021 Let’s shift back to WWI: in July 1918 US forces including the 1st Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the 6th Marines engaged in what became known as the Battle of Soisson. After heavy fighting the Allies emerged victorious. This “trench lighter” commemorates that battle: There are several things of note about this lighter: 1) It’s not really a lighter at all, but a matchbox holder, 2) Unlike most trench lighters this item was most probably actually made in the trenches, and somewhat crudely as a result, 3) The reversed letter “N” was not considered such a big deal back then and many American troops were only semi-literate, and 4) It appears that the central design element is a simple US Army uniform button that has been soldered onto the matchbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 28, 2021 Share #108 Posted August 28, 2021 A bit of the all right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 29, 2021 Share #109 Posted August 29, 2021 This is a WWI “bullet lighter” with a good shot of the silver-colored French tax stamp that was required from ~1915 to ~1947: This simple style was very popular and the design is still in use right now. Here’s an example of a modern one: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 29, 2021 Share #110 Posted August 29, 2021 I should add that WWI troops, just like the grunts/Joes of today always appreciated small lightweight gear. The bullet shape was also used for another item with Catholic troops, the pocket shrine. This one is about 1.5’ tall and there is a brass swiveling section inside, essentially an inner cover that can be rotated to protect the object inside: So, this little statue is of the Virgin Mary. French troops would have also carried this icon. But, equally popular was one of Joan of Arc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 29, 2021 Share #111 Posted August 29, 2021 And the hits keep on coming! Thanks C6A! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 29, 2021 Share #112 Posted August 29, 2021 Thanks, BH, I should have mentioned that the pocket shrine wan’t the only religious artifact carried and that in WWI, as in several other wars, troops would often carry a small bible in their left breast pockets to literally protect them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 29, 2021 Share #113 Posted August 29, 2021 Like this lucky soldier.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 29, 2021 Share #114 Posted August 29, 2021 Whoa, exactly, BH! Here’s a WWI trench lighter with the Marine Corps seal: It’s also about 2.5 inches in diameter. Here’s the reverse: Lots of symbolism on this side: a US Warship flying the American Flag, with the Statue of Liberty just visible in the center background. And, on the right the French Rooster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 29, 2021 Share #115 Posted August 29, 2021 Great pair of lighters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 29, 2021 Share #116 Posted August 29, 2021 11/1992 date code. Given to me by an old friend . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 29, 2021 Share #117 Posted August 29, 2021 Ditto, BH: Touché. (OK, just joking around). Here’s a US one: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd62 Posted August 30, 2021 Share #118 Posted August 30, 2021 Very nice ones guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 30, 2021 Share #119 Posted August 30, 2021 Another authentic Vietnam Zippo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd62 Posted August 30, 2021 Share #120 Posted August 30, 2021 And with that CIB even, nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 31, 2021 Share #121 Posted August 31, 2021 Thanks again, jmd62. Here’s one with a song attached to it: What is it good for? (Thanks for the 1969 lyrics, Edwin Starr!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 31, 2021 Share #122 Posted August 31, 2021 Good god, ya'll! Man C6A, that takes me back...to 3rd grade! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 31, 2021 Share #123 Posted August 31, 2021 And in my case, BH, it takes me back to Vietnam. This was a crazy popular song, probably only slightly less popular than the 1965 “We gotta get out of this place” by the Animals. And this lighter, which was mine, seems appropriate for both of those songs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy Howdy Posted August 31, 2021 Share #124 Posted August 31, 2021 These are my last marked military related lighters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted August 31, 2021 Share #125 Posted August 31, 2021 Thanks, Boy Howdy. I especially like that well-used brass “Desert Patrol” one. Here’s a nice Marine one in the thinner size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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