Original Item: Only One Available. These are very cute and just shows what idle hands can create at a time of endless inactivity. Considered “Trench Art”, these are Cigarette lighters made from Brass, Copper, and whatever other metal objects were available in the trenches.
The first lighter is just about 1 3/4″ round, with the addition of the Wick w/cover and circular flint wheel. This could fit into any battledress pocket. It appears to be complete, and could probably be made to work if serviced with fresh flint and fluid. The lighter has a Argentinian DOS CENTAVOS coin on one side, with a British East India Company coin dated 1835 on the other.
The second lighter is a “book” measuring1 1/2″W and 2 1/8″ tall, which opens via a hinge to reveal the lighter. This one is definitely not complete, missing both the wick, flint, and wheel. The book “cover” is marked Ypres 1917, for the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele.
Old patina with lots of history, ready to display!