WWI Trench Lighter
- Scope and content:
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One WWI Trench lighter. This naptha-fueled lighter was carried by soldiers on all sides during WWI. The lighter is composed of three main sections. First we have the flint wheel, which is connected to the lighter and includes a knurled knob at one end with which a steel spring could be raised higher if the flint began to wear down. The second major component is the body of the lighter, a cylinder which would have ended in a small keyring (which is no longer present). The last major component is the wick, which is made of a yellow fiber and is connected to a chain which ends in a tiny metal ball. To extinguish the flames on these lighters the keyring on the bottom would be pulled, pulling the wick into the naptha, but closing off the air supply with the tiny metal ball. The lighter is heavily rusted, but the flint wheel can still be spun, a rarity in lighters of this age. This lighter was likely the personal possession of Channing M. Hall. Transferred from the Hall Family Papers (Mss 90H14). Located in Dec Obj S2 SS2, Box 3. Mss 90H14.A16c
Access and use
- Location of collection:
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Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem LibraryCollege of William and Mary400 Landrum DrivePO 8795Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
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