I remember a cigarette lighter from way back when...

1. 85

   Edweirdoposted 14 years ago

   When I was a kid, my grandfather had this cool little device, and I have never been able to figure out what it was! No one else in my family remembers this thing, but as a young boy I was a bit of a pyro, and the memory of it has stuck in my brain. I've Googled all sorts of terms over the years. but could never find anything similar...
   
   Then tonight something reminded me of it, and I thought to myself: "Self, the HubPages forum is filled with knowledgeable, and they seem to be able to pull facts from the ether at a moment's notice! Use that to your benefit and ask them!"
   
   So, here goes: The thing I have in mind was a small, metal, cube-shaped box. It had a metal matchstick-shaped insert. You would insert the metal matchstick-thingy into a receptacle on the top of the square base and remove it, and, voila! Fire! It was like a match made of metal, and it was "activated" by placing it into the base...
   
   So, either I have had another instance of a "self-manufactured memory", or this thing was real and someone else must remember such a device!
   
   Based on my grandpa's age, I would guess this was made in the 1940-1960 era.
   
   Anyone know what I'm talking about???
   
   ---------------
   
   Upon reading the description back before posting, it seems like a double entendre "Three's Company"-style joke! But it isn't! So, please, take your mind out of the gutter and don't go there in your response!
   
   This was a real device, and it is driving me crazy that I have never been able to track down another like it...

   replyreport
   1. 49

      norman 222posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I had one too!       when you unscwer the top ,then you struck the metal tip on a long piece of flint.That was glued in a special noch the full lenght of the match.I drop mine to many times ,and cracked it.It wouldn't hold fluid then!No I have not ever found one ever again,and yes I loved mine also!Would have been around middel 60,s.
      Thanks norman

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Druid Dudeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         My Grandfather used to sell them(way before my day) It was filled w/ some type of spirit (Not a ghost) Mineral spirits or some such. I think it was actually called a "spirit lighter" "Eternal match" or something like that. He was from PA, and I think that was where he sold them. He had cartons full of them. All gone.

         replyreport
         1. 61

            Druid Dudeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Pre 40's I think

            replyreport
2. 79

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   I'm sure you've Googled lots of things, but have you looked at the photos here?
   
   http://www.goantiques.com/category,ligh … ems-1.html
   
   They seem to have a lot of pages of photos.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      susanlangposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree KCC good information from those links. I don't smoke by I know someone who does and a new lighter would make him a happy camper. Thanks for the links.

      replyreport
3. 85

   Edweirdoposted 14 years ago

   That's a great link, KCC - Thanks!
   
   Worth an in-depth look, for sure
   
   There's a LOT of stuff to go through there, so in the meantime, other suggestions are welcome

   replyreport
4. 79

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   It appears to have over 1600 photos of antique lighters.  Maybe something will be a "match".......get it?  LOL

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Tried to think of a witty rejoinder, but instead:
      
      

      replyreport
5. 65

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   

   replyreport
   1. 51

      Jerbs1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What is the highest bid or offer?

      replyreport
6. 79

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   That looks promising, Misha.  Where did you find it? What's it called?

   replyreport
7. 65

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   According to wikipedia it is called permanent match
   
   I just remember the thingy from my childhood, too

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Misha! If there was a "high-five" smiley I would use it
      
      At least now I have a name for it. Maybe one day I can find one like my "Pop-Pop" had!

      replyreport
   2. 85

      Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      After further examination, this seems like you have to strike it to make it light
      
      The one I recall was more like "poke it into the base and retract it for fire"...
      
      
      And maybe I'm the "head-in-the-gutter one", but it gets more and more creepy-sounding every time I write it

      replyreport
8. 79

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   It looks really cool.  I bet it's what he's looking for.

   replyreport
9. 76

   sunforgedposted 14 years ago

   I still have a couple of those "permanent matches" around somewhere they were common flea market fare .. I had a bunch that were branded by the BSA.
   
   But you actually have to strike them on the side, they are cool (eh, hot)..but is that what you were describing?
   
   In the act of trying to find a self igniting permanent match - I discovered self igniting cigarettes on ebay - that's kind of cool! built in match head- just strike the cigarette!

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This was more like a "stick in the hole and pull it out for fire" permanent match, vs a strike on the side type. Hence my worry about a double entendre

      replyreport
10. 59

    susanlangposted 14 years ago

    Misha, is that hand cuffs I see, or are my eyes just cross at this late hour?

    replyreport
11. 76

    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    which is what led me to a "self igniting" search.
    
    I know early matches/systems used phosporus which could self ignite upon exposure to air...not to strong on chemistry so could be completely off base on the why.

    replyreport
    1. 85

       Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       This seemed more like a flint-based item - like a Zippo would use. But in the form of a stick. Maybe the stick held the lighter fluid and the inserting the stick caused a spark, and then the stick held a flame?
       
       Something like that...

       replyreport
       1. 85

          Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          But the fluid being inside the "matchstick" seems unlikely from a design perspective.
          
          But that was how it seemed to work...

          replyreport
       2. 76

          sunforgedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          sounds like it would work.. just have a smaller funnel opening to create the spark last second..the sticks have a wick that holds lighter fluid
          
          like this?
          
          
          
          http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/m … ork-worlds

          replyreport
          1. 85

             Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Hmm?
             
             Very similar, but in a portable version! (My grandpa's was a desktop lighter)
             
             If this is not a strike-to-light lighter, then we're onto something...

             replyreport
12. 76

    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    Thats different!
    
    Ronson Touch Tip!
    
    http://transporter.tripod.com/TT.html

    replyreport
13. 76

    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    
    
    This is it! and I want one..

    replyreport
    1. 85

       Edweirdoposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Holy #$^* - I think you've found it! The design is a bit different in appearance, but definitely on the right track!
       
       Where is that pic from?
       
       It's time for my bed, but I'll be back tomorrow

       replyreport
14. 76

    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    The ronson touch tips have tons of variety/sculptural designs.
    
    But the mechanism works as you described (hit reply to view the image source - its a vintage lighter forum)

    replyreport
15. 59

    susanlangposted 14 years ago

    Good Lighters Forum.. lots of old styles.

    replyreport
16. 77

    mythbusterposted 14 years ago

    I believe the item is also called a "Striker Match." I've owned something similar to what you've described, Edweirdo - and it looked very much like the silver-metallic item in Misha's posted pic.
    
    I had a box of Striker matches that I ordered through the mail - my purpose for them was to pack them up in camping kits/survival kits...they worked awesome and you could even get dumped in the river while canoeing or rafting - and still start a fire immediately afterward - with the striker-match.
    
    Neat little items, for sure.

    replyreport