FAQ: Rowenta Snip, Care & Maintenance Manual, 1950s

This instruction leaflet in English and German was added to "Snip" petrol lighters made by Rowenta in the 1950s.

Rowenta & Copeland Spode Table Lighter, 1963

Between 1963 and 1969 Rowenta co-working with the famous English pottery brand – Copeland Spode (England) manufactured a charming table lighter. The base of the lighter was made of ceramic and hand-painted with the Herring Hunt – "The Hunt" pattern. Thus every lighter is different.

Other thing which distinguishes the lighter is the sterling silver (.925) mounting made by Johann Franz Jr. Silberwarenfabrik in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany – marked 925 JF (see below) and weighing approx. 40 grams.

Matching ashtrays, cigarette holders, candle sticks and other tableware were also manufactured and sold by Copeland Spode in the 1960s.

The lighter insert Gas-Snip (model F 4626) was made by Rowenta Metallwarenfabrik GmbH in Offenbach am Main, Germany. It was patented in 1958 and produced on large scale in various finishes between 1959–1970. This particular insert was made of brass and silver plated. It is stamped: 

Rowenta Gas-Snip

GERMANY 

PAT.

The lighter base is round and marked on the bottom:

COPELAND

SPODE

ENGLAND

"OFF TO DRAW"

3

"THE HUNTSMAN"

6

Type: butane (gas) lighter

Scarcity: rare

Value for very good–mint condition:  $90–130.00 USD

Weight: 175 grams (0.38 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 7.5 cm (3")
• diameter: 6.2 cm (2.4")

Rowenta Table Lighter, 1940s

The Rowenta Table Lighter was the first cigarette lighter manufactured by Rowenta Werke in Offenbach, Germany. It was manufactured in the 1940s in Germany. This wick semi-automatic pertol lighter was  manufactured in many different finishes, like: sterling silver, chromium plate, nickel plate (see picture), various leather, engravements etc.

The wick lighter was generally made of brass and was padded with green felt. Marked on the underside of the base:

ROWENTA
D.R.P. for Pat.

D.R.P stands for Deutsches Reich Patent. Patented by Karl Maltner. The lighter mechanism is very efficient. To make it lit the rectangle button on the side has to be pushed.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–rare (depending on type of the finish/advertising)

Value for good–mint condition: $25.00–100.00 (approx €20.00–80.00)

Weight: 255 grams (0.56 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 8.4 cm (3.3")
• width: 4.2 cm (1.65")
• length: 9.4 cm (3.7")

Rowenta Bridge, 1954

The Rowenta Bridge (catalog model: F4515 17/2, see picture) was manufactured in 1954 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. The production ceased short after that in 1957. The Rowenta Bridge was a very successful model manufactured in more than 30 different finishes, like: sterling silver, chromium plate, morocco leather and even nacre finish (mother of pearl).

This wick lighter was generally made of brass and it had two various shapes of the base: oval or of a irregular octagon. Marked on the underside of the base:

Rowenta Bridge
Germany
Pat.pend.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: uncommon–very rare (depending on type of the finish)

Value for good–mint condition: $50.00–250.00 (approx €35.00–230.00)

Weight: 140 grams (0,31 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 5.8 cm (2.28")
• width: 2.8 cm (1.1")
• length: 6.5 cm (2.56")