ELDRO TANK [Drollinger] Silver Table Lighter, 1939

The ELDRO TANK wick table lighter was manufactured for a long period between 1939 and 1951 by Herman Else Drollinger Silber- und Metallwarenfabrik in Pforzheim, Germany. The company itself was active since 1925 till ca. 1978 and manufactured mainly metal- and silverware. Else Drollinger produced table and pocket lighters beyond its own ELDRO brand and also "Astro" for ZVG, "KW" for Karl Wieden and for other important German lighter manufacturers like Mylflam and Rowenta (mainly silver mantels).

This semi-automatic table lighter was available in different mantels made of solid silver (.835). The lighter base as well the lighter insert were made of brass and silver-plated. The bottom of the lighter base is padded with green felt.

Marked on the inside of the insert: 

ELDRO TANK
Pat. GMa

In 1951 the patent 815 272 was issued by the German Patent Office (Deutsches Patentamt). See below:

Type: wick (petrol) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good – mint condition (dependent on finish): $100.00–160.00 (approx €70.00–110.00)

Weight: 190 grams (0.42 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.2 cm (2.8")
• width: 3.5 cm (1.38")
• length: 6.6 cm (2.6")