Hamilton Ship Wheel Table Lighter, 1940


This Ship's Wheel Table Lighter made by Hamilton was first manufactured in 1940 in the United States. This nautical figural lighter is heavy chrome plated (no. 3QR7561B) - likely the other most famous Hamilton products: the Airplane and the Knight Table Lighter. The top as well the bottom are painted in black. It was though also available in brass finish (no. 3QR7562C) which is rare.

The wick lighter lights by turning the wheel. The lighter is marked on the underside of the base:

MADE IN U.S.A.
PAT PEND.

or 
 

MADE IN U.S.A.
A PRODUCT OF HAMILTON
PAT PEND.

A magazine advertisement from the 1940 says: Marine Style-Turn the Wheel-Lights Up. Here's just the right nautical touch for desk, smoking stand or den-a ship's wheel lighter that never misses. Just turn the wheel and it lights up with a steady lighthouse flame. Designed with all the smooth trimness of true marine engineering and finished in brilliant chromium or brass that will not tarnish or stain. Holds oceans of fluid so that it will go week after week without being refilled, lighting up faithfully at the flick of a finger. Lighter stands 5 inches in height.

A similar lighter design was used by Dunhill and it is rare. It fetches prices above $250.-.

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: uncommonrare

Value for good–mint condition: $75.00–100.00 (approx €50.00–65.00)

Weight: 330 grams (0,73 pounds)

Dimensions:
  • height: 12.9 cm (3.0")
  • diameter: 7.3 cm (2.5")

13 comments :

Anonymous said...

Know of where wicks, flints, fuel can be found for these?

Sebastian said...

The Hamilton wick lighter uses the standardized wick / flint / lighter fuel so you won't have any problems to get these. You may try with a hypermarket or a tobacco store.

Anonymous said...

kool lighter

Anonymous said...

Found one at a yard sale - paid $3

Anonymous said...

This site is very infomative and I thank you for the information. I have one and it still works very well.

Anonymous said...

if the lighter has a thorn, swiss movement music box does it increase the value?

chief824 said...

how do you replace the wick in this type of lighter. any ideas?

chief824 said...

How do you replace a wick in this type of lighter?

Shipwreck said...

How do you take it apart to fix the flint wheel? It is not working properly. Looks like it unscrews from the bottom. It is leaking fuel from around the seal. Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

I have one wheel lighter from 1940

Anonymous said...

I have a 1940 wheel ship lighter

Anonymous said...

I have one exactly like this,looks brand new, I thought it was.

Unknown said...

I found one at an antique mall for $5.00

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