Dunhill Tankard / Bumper Table Lighter, 1949

The Dunhill Tankard also known as Bumper (beer stein figural) was first manufactured in 1949 in England by Alfred Dunhill ltd. This solid vintage petrol automatic table lighter in the form of a an Antique Tankard was manufactured in many different finishes:

• polished chrome (uncommon), 
• matted chrome (rare), 
• silver plate (rare),
• copper finish (rare). 

Since 1953 it was also available covered in pig, seal, lizard or crocodile skin (rare).
The Dunhill Bumper ignites automatically when the lid is opened. Very efficient mechanism – works at every single try. The quality of this lighter is high. The base is padded with green felt.

The picture below presents the Dunhill Tankard with a closed mechanism. The older version has an open mechanism.It was marketed in a red card box.

In 1954 a Japanese manufacturer Tomo tried to copy the Dunhill Bumper and marketed an interesting example of it. The table lighter was signed on the bottom: Tomo MADE IN JAPAN PAT. P. 6172.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the underside:

dunhill
PROV. PAT. NO. 32981/49.
REG. DES. APPL. NO. 861972
MADE IN ENGLAND

Scarcity: uncommon-rare

Value for good–mint condition: 379 zł ($125.00)–250.00 (approx 415 zł (€100.00)–200.00)

Weight: 305 grams (0.67 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.8 cm (3.5")
• width: 7.5 cm (3.0")
• depth: 5.5 cm (2.2")