What is it?

[GunClick Rick]

How does it work?

[Stu Kettle]

it's a cigarette lighter.  put some fuel on the wick & a flint under the wheel & spin the wheel with your thumb.

[GunClick Rick]

How do ya carry it with a wet wick?What kind of lighter?

[John Smith]

I think it is a WWI trench cigarette lighter, they were very similar and some were different.  Basically the wick was treated with a flammable liquid, and the wheel struck a spark from a flint.  Google Trench lighter, lots of pictures of the various types.

[GunClick Rick]

wow,i just found out i have another one,it was in my grandpas shop forever,i found it after he passed,and i have had it for at least ten years not knowing what it was,ain't that somethin

[St. George]

The entire wick doesn't get saturated - just the first inch or so.

Flints are fed through the rectangular shaft - held in place with a spring.

By this time, the original flint's likely turned into dust, so stick a pipe cleaner into the shaft to make sure it's cleaned out - and put a small drop of oil on the little spring.

Scouts Out!

[GunClick Rick]

Are they worth anything?

[Danny Bear Claw]

Well...  If ya want to smoke a cigarette in a trench and ain't got no matches it's worth a fortune.   

[GunClick Rick]

 


  TOUCHIE -)=====> 

[GunClick Rick]

I swear that St Goerge knows everything

[GunClick Rick]

Well i did what St Goerge told me,a couple of quick strikes and the wick glowed like crazy,did'nt have to put any fuel at all on it,the wick works like char cloth,no flame just a good hot red glow I'll find me a little metal case to put it in and ad to my survival bag,always carried one in my truck.

Then i will buy a keyboard that knows how to spell,i swear i don't writ wackbards,had to wreti htsi trhee tmies

[Danny Bear Claw]

Dang Rick...  is you dislexic???   

[GunClick Rick]

Nope,my keyboard is though

[Don Nix]

it doesnt use lighter fluid. it works jsur as yu said ,as a glowing ember. it was designed  so that an open flame wouldnt attract sniper fire as a match or lighter would.
trench lighters were made up into the 50s and a lot of backpackers used them.

[PJ Hardtack]

In WW I trench warfare, "three men on a match" was deemed to be inviting a sniper's bullet; if you had matches dry enough to light, that is! It provided all the time needed to make a shot.

[GunClick Rick]

Hey PJ give me light~ 

[Burt Blade]

I had a "mountain man pipe lighter" version. it had the rope and brass collar, plus a separate flint and steel.

The trick it to pre-char the rope. Once charred, it is very easy to re-light with the flint.

[PJ Hardtack]

Rick

And the Lord said - 'Let there be light...",' and behold, you could see for miles ..... Then the booming voice of the Sergeant Major said - 'Turn out those bloomin' lights!', and Lo', darkness descended upon the earth.

Old army joke, likening the voice and authority of a SM unto God. Any old soldier can relate.

Why would a soldier prefer to stand before God as opposed to the Sergeant Major? Because God will have mercy ...... ;>)

[GunClick Rick]

PYLE!!!!! I want you to put that buckett on your head and just sit there and think awhile!!!!!

[Danny Bear Claw]

First guy on the match lights his cig...  getting the sniper's attention,
second guy gets a light for his cig...  causing the sniper to get in position and start to take aim,
about the time the third guy gets his cig lit...  he dies of "acute lead poisoning".