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Military Lighters - All eras all brands

Featured Replies

#1551
On 2/12/2024 at 11:37 AM, Cobra 6 Actual said:

There was an earlier discussion about some military guys having a fondness for “artifacts” (particularly patches and lighters) that had skull designs. Here’s a titanium lighter with a skull peaking out:

 

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Is that a map of Afghanistan?

#1552

Well I’ve seen some very cool lighters in this thread!!

 

These aren’t as cool but very unique.

 

They all came from the same house and belonged to the name in the aluminum lighter.

 

I assume they are North African or Middle Eastern.

 

Can anyone identify what they are?

 

 

 

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#1553
2 minutes ago, manayunkman said:

Well I’ve seen some very cool lighters in this thread!!

 

These aren’t as cool but very unique.

 

They all came from the same house and belonged to the name in the aluminum lighter.

 

I assume they are North African or Middle Eastern.

 

Can anyone identify what they are?

 

 

 

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I've seen these before, but I can't recall the maker.

#1554
4 minutes ago, yokota57 said:

I've seen these before, but I can't recall the maker.


All 3 appear to be hand made.

#1555
1 hour ago, manayunkman said:

Is that a map of Afghanistan?

I don’t think so. 

#1556
1 hour ago, manayunkman said:


All 3 appear to be hand made.

I’m with yokota57: I’ve seen ones made like this but I cannot recall ever having determined the maker.

#1557
1 hour ago, yokota57 said:

US Army / 66th Engineer Company (Topographic) (Corps) "Carte Du Pays". Grenadier Kaserne, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, West Germany (*A stones throw from the Porsche factory). Japanese-made "Wellington". 66th Eng Co barracks photo via usarmygermany.com

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66th Engr TOPO Co barracks Grenadier Kaserne Stuttgart 1950s.jpg
 

yokota57, you have an amazing collection!

 

#1558
19 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

I don’t think so. 

I'm with C6A. Check these side-by-side pics.

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  • 2 weeks later...
#1559

I’ve posted on the fake Vietnam lighter thread quite a bit but I have yet to show some of my real ones. 
I purchased this lighter directly from the veteran. He was a green beret who volunteered for MACV SOG. He has multiple recorded interviews. This lighter was purchased during his time at FOB 4. 
He received two Bronze Stars with V device during this time. 
After he got back to the states he transferred to 6th group and was trained to carry suitcase nukes. 
I have photos of him with the lighter to confirm the authenticity for the future. 
Hope you guys enjoy. 
Zippo brand - 1967 date code

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#1560

I’m about 2 degrees off this lighter.  


Despite  being a Port Construction unit, the 50th built miles and miles of welded steel pipeline during and immediately after the Korean War.IMG_2445.jpeg.8a8fa60edb633916db04633f833585c2.jpegIMG_2446.jpeg.7f182b16a9bbab2df33061253a6a14ba.jpegIMG_2448.jpeg.ec2875b430ee148956b3e3f678c8f478.jpeg

 

The 461st Engineer Company was reactivated in 1956 to carry on the petroleum pipeline mission in Korea.  It was a Reserve unit in Casper, WY from 1956-2000.  I was its last commander in Wyoming.  Our wartrace was always Korea.  
 

 

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#1561

Thanks for posting these, Goosenheimer. Naturally, I’m equally impressed with both lighters. Although the Vietnam SF one is a “show stopper”, I know that your personal connection with the 50th Engineer would be tough to top, too!

#1562
3 hours ago, Oldcoolc said:

I’ve posted on the fake Vietnam lighter thread quite a bit but I have yet to show some of my real ones. 
I purchased this lighter directly from the veteran. He was a green beret who volunteered for MACV SOG. He has multiple recorded interviews. This lighter was purchased during his time at FOB 4. 
He received two Bronze Stars with V device during this time. 
After he got back to the states he transferred to 6th group and was trained to carry suitcase nukes. 
I have photos of him with the lighter to confirm the authenticity for the future. 
Hope you guys enjoy. 
Zippo brand - 1967 date code

IMG_5944.jpeg

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Nothing like obtaining it from the original owner. Thanks for posting. Ichi-Ban !!!

#1563
1 hour ago, Goosenheimer said:

I’m about 2 degrees off this lighter.  


Despite  being a Port Construction unit, the 50th built miles and miles of welded steel pipeline during and immediately after the Korean War.IMG_2445.jpeg.8a8fa60edb633916db04633f833585c2.jpegIMG_2446.jpeg.7f182b16a9bbab2df33061253a6a14ba.jpegIMG_2448.jpeg.ec2875b430ee148956b3e3f678c8f478.jpeg

 

The 461st Engineer Company was reactivated in 1956 to carry on the petroleum pipeline mission in Korea.  It was a Reserve unit in Casper, WY from 1956-2000.  I was its last commander in Wyoming.  Our wartrace was always Korea.  
 

 

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Really nice. Thanks for posting! **What is the significance (if any) of the "Bird" ???

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#1564
13 minutes ago, yokota57 said:

Really nice. Thanks for posting! **What is the significance (if any) of the "Bird" ???

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Great question.  Not sure what the bird signifies, great rabbit hole to wander down…

#1565
1 hour ago, Goosenheimer said:

Great question.  Not sure what the bird signifies, great rabbit hole to wander down…

Perhaps a seagull hanging around observing the Port Construction?

#1566
On 10/9/2025 at 10:49 AM, Cobra 6 Actual said:

I’m with yokota57: I’ve seen ones made like this but I cannot recall ever having determined the maker.

Handmade trench art.  Made from scrapped aluminum from crashed or scavenged aircraft.  I’ve got a few.

#1567

Posted this on under the USAF lighters, 377 , AIRMENS OPEN MESS VIET NAM 67 , Made in Japan

 

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#1568

I’ve been collecting lighters for a while.  Is got my start with some fakes and one real one in Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City in 1995.  Here are some of mine . . . 
 

 

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#1569
12 minutes ago, MauserHSc said:

I’ve been collecting lighters for a while.  Is got my start with some fakes and one real one in Saigon aka Ho Chi Minh City in 1995.  Here are some of mine . . . 
 

 

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Welcome to the Forum! Very nice MAAG-VN "Penguin. Do you have photos of the black-crackle lighters hinge and base stamp?

#1570

This is all I got right now but I’m. Pretty sure it’s a Zippo . . .

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#1571

As yokota57 said, welcome to this Forum. That crackle finish lighter is a beaut. I can easily imagine a GI scratching in that location! Let’s see the rest of those lighters, one at a time with big photos, just as you did with the Saipan and MAAG-V ones (no hurry, but when you get a chance).

#1572
10 hours ago, easterneagle87 said:

Posted this on under the USAF lighters, 377 , AIRMENS OPEN MESS VIET NAM 67 , Made in Japan

 

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That’s a beauty, EE87. Thanks for posting it!

#1573
10 hours ago, MauserHSc said:

This is all I got right now but I’m. Pretty sure it’s a Zippo . . .

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I can see the "Zippo" base stamp peeking out from under the crackle finish. Looks like the correct 14-hole chimney also. Photo of the hinges will pinpoint it. A really nice piece!

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#1574

Got one of the hinge 

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#1575
2 hours ago, MauserHSc said:

Got one of the hinge 

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That is the hinge that was in use from 1943 to 1947. Thanks for the photo

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