Ladies and Gents. Does anyone know much about these lighters?

[Drew B]

I had a bunch of lighters given to me by a friend once because they didn't work. They needed a fix up but nothing more then a bit of fiddling so I quickly got them working. However, I dont know much about them. Any Info any might have would be lovely.

This is the one I use:

It really does need a polish or something.

It makes fire! handy in a lighter.

This is a close up of the flint and steel mechanism

And it also has a slide up wind cover.

There is also a baby brother: How cute!!!

And a butane version branded the "Silver Match"

So does anyone know who made them or when. I don't really think that they are rare or anything but I have never seen any like them before.

Thanks in advance,
Drew B.

PS I'll even try to polish them up tonight and repost.

 

[Drew B]

i thought i might mention that the first two lighters are fueled by fluid.

 

[Drew B]

bump

 

[scotrace]

Not much to say. Ordinary lighters that one saw everywhere well into the 1970's. Any marks?
One often saw them as advertising giveaways, especially for cigarette brands. I remember seeing "Salem" branded lighters a lot.

 

[Drew B]

yeah i think the shell oil co. here in aus did them a lot too.

yeah I didn't thin they were that old but the do look neat.

thanks scot.

Drew B

 

[Ethan Bentley]

Look like Ronsons to me. If I am not mistaken the first one, with the flip up wind protector, is the whirlwind.

The Silvematch:

I believe both Ronson and Silvermatch are still making lighter so flints etc. should not be a problem to come by. I use Ronson's own flints and then Ronson or Zippo lighter fuel.

 

[nulty]

Yup..they are Ronsons. Perpetually vintage and perpetually cool. I have several that I've used in rotation for years. The only drawback I see to them is that the wicks wear down rapidly and they aren't great in the wind . I smoke so I'm cracking mine all day long. My dad always used to say "like a ronson lighter" when he was talking about something that went by the wayside for one reason or another. I've never been able to get what he meant and he's no longer around to ask but I'd like to find out some day..

You can still by Fluid and flints. You can by Butane as well but I've never trusted an old butane lighter...the possibility of blowing up my face when trying to lookl cool scares me..

Here's a place dedicated to them...

http://vintage-ronson.com/