Military Lighters - All eras all brands

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Ah, copy that, BH. Thanks for the clarification. One more:

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

[Boy Howdy]

That's a real beauty C6A!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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:

 

[jmd62]

Soooo many nice lighters, thanks for sharing them guys!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks, again, jmd62. 
 

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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.

[Boy Howdy]

A bit of the all right!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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:

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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.

[Boy Howdy]

And the hits keep on coming!

Thanks C6A!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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. 

[Boy Howdy]

Like this lucky soldier....

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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.

[Boy Howdy]

Great pair of lighters.

[Boy Howdy]

11/1992 date code.

Given to me by an old friend .

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Ditto, BH:

 

 

Touché. (OK, just joking around). Here’s a US one:

 

 

[jmd62]

Very nice ones guys!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Another authentic Vietnam Zippo:

 

[jmd62]

And with that CIB even, nice!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks again, jmd62. Here’s one with a song attached to it:

What is it good for? (Thanks for the 1969 lyrics, Edwin Starr!)

 

[Boy Howdy]

Good god, ya'll!

Man C6A, that takes me back...to 3rd grade!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

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:

 

[Boy Howdy]

These are my last marked military related lighters.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thanks, Boy Howdy. I especially like that well-used brass “Desert Patrol” one. Here’s a nice Marine one in the thinner size