Appraisal of collectibles & antiques

I receive a lot of requests connected with appraisal of table lighters that were not described yet. Determining the price of a specific item is very difficult and one can give only a rough estimate. Why? Because you are supposed to be able to guess how much a buyer may pay for it within a specific period of time and sales conditions. 

Our market is not a perfect market. Mainly because perfect and global market information simply does not exist. It changed a lot due to the development of Internet but it is still not ideal. The price range for the same item may vary a lot. It depends among others on your focus group - who are you going to reach with the information that you want to sell it? Will you list your item on ebay? Yes? Then in what country? Or maybe an auction house would be better? Or selling it to your nearest antiques dealer or friend?... Well, everything depends on a lot of factors. In each case you might be almost sure that you will receive a different amount of money for you item. 

For you consideration find all ebay listings on the Dunhill Pistol Lighter. Then check this post here and take a look at the appraisal which was included in the Miller's Collectables Price Guide 2004 edited by Judith Miller:

Dunhill Duelling Pistol Lighter, ca. 1929

This Dunhill Duelling Pistol of the shape of a classic single-shot flintlock from the XVIII/XIX century is made of brass and lead alloy which makes it very heavy. The lighter has a very precise trigger activated mechanism - the top opens and sparks when the trigger is pulled.

This Dunhill Duelling Pistol was manufactured only in England from ca. 1929 until the late 30's. After 1938 it was replaced by the Dunhill Tinder Pistol Lighter.

It is often the case that the trigger is broken as well the top mounted flint holder. The lighter is marked DUNHILL on the outside of the trigger guard.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: rare–very rare

Value for good–mint condition: $200.00–300.00 (approx €180.00–215.00)

Weight: 425 grams (0.93 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.0 cm (3.9")
• length: 15.5 cm (6.1")
• width: 4.4 cm (1.7")

Tinder Pistol Lighter, ca. 1710–1730

Tinder Pistol Lighters are the earliest lighters. They were invented in the mid-seventeenth century. They were converted by gunsmiths from broken guns and used the barrel to store tinder instead of gunpowder. The working mechanism was simple though not very save to use at home - the trigger released a mechanism that struck a piece of iron and directed the sparks onto the tinder which ignite. Tinder pistols were expensive and were owned only by a small and wealthy minority of households.

The described flintlock tinder pistol was most probably made between 1710 and 1730 in Europe. It has a interesting shaped wooden handle finished with a ivory bead. The body, trigger and hammer are made of steel. In the picture below one can see the compartment for tinder and a receptacle for a small candle. This Tinder Pistol is not marked.

How does a tinder pistol lighter work? Tinder pistols do have a hidden compartment on the back side of the action used for storing tinder. When the trigger is pulled the cock drops throwing a shower of sparks into the tinder thus starting a small flame from which the candle is ignited. The lit candle was then used to light fires, stoves, other candles, etc. around the home.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Scarcity: very rare

Value for very good condition: $700.00–900.00 (approx €500.00–700.00)

Weight: 240 grams (0.53 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height:   8.5 cm (4.35")
• length: 18.0 cm (7.1")
• width:   4.5 cm (1.78")

Dunhill Tinder Pistol Lighter, 1936

The Dunhill Tinder Pistol is a fine example of an extraordinary table lighter which is in the shape of a flintlock tinder (gun) pistol from the XVIII century. It is made of brass and it has a antique brass finish and a nice oak slab handle (butt). The lighter has a very precise trigger activated mechanism - the top opens and sparks when the trigger is pulled. The Dunhill Tinder Pistol wick lighter was manufactured both in England and USA from ca. 1936 until the early 1960's.

It is worth to know, that the earliest lighters were actually tinder pistols invented in the mid-seventeenth century (example). They were made from broken guns and used the barrel to store tinder instead of gunpowder. The working mechanism was simple though not very save to use at home - the trigger released a mechanism that struck a piece of iron and directed the sparks onto the tinder which ignite.

The Dunhill Tinder Pistol Lighter was replicated in Japan - it was manufactured in the 1950s and was on the first spot indistinguishable from the original. Fortunately, the marking "Japan" on the bottom dissolves all doubts.

It is also worth to know that Dunhill manufactured also a gas (butane) version of this lighter in the late 1960s which is nowadays rare to find.

Type: petrol (wick) lighter

Writing on the base:

DUNHILL
TINDER PISTOL
MADE IN U.S.A.
PAT. APL'D FOR

or

DUNHILL
TINDER PISTOL
MADE IN ENGLAND
PATENT NO. 592139

Scarcity: uncommon–rare

Value for good–mint condition: $175.00–250.00 (approx €120.00–190.00)

Weight: 313 grams (0.69 pounds)

Dimensions:

• height: 10.0 cm (3.0")
• width: 6.0 cm (2.36")
• depth: 14.3 cm (4.0")