Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Large Brass Cigarette Lighter Presented to Captain of U-230 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an all brass substantial table lighter measuring 4″ tall by 3″ across. These lighters were often custom made by the workers in the U-boat’s engine room, as they had to be skilled in metalwork as part of their duty. The cover for the flame hinges up, after which it can be ignited with the wheel next to it.

It is engraved Weidmannsheil across one side, meaning “GOOD HUNTING, an apt statement for a U-boat captain. The back of the lighter is engraved with the “Laughing Swordfish” logo of the 9. Unterseebootsflottille (9th U-boat Flotilla). This was originally the conning tower insignia of the famous U-96 of “Das Boot” fame, commanded by Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock. When Lehmann-Willenbrock assumed command of the flotilla, he took the emblem with him. It is further personalized below the logo with an engraving in German Block Typeface:

U230
KapitänLeutnant
Paul Siegmann

It appears to be in good working order and condition. There is still flint in the lighter, which still makes a good spark.

The U-230 was launched on October 24th 1942, it saw considerable service including in the North Atlantic Wolf Packs and in the Mediteranean. On July 5th. 1943 it set sail from the Sun Pens in Toulon, France on a Mine Laying mission in the CHESAPEAKE BAY which it successfully completed unhindered. In August of 1844, after D-Day, its own Crew blew up the U-230 while docked in Toulon to avoid capture by advancing Allied Forces.

A fine German WW2 U-Boat item, ready to display