Pre-Flint Lighters: The pyrophoric flint was invented and patented in 1903 by the Austrian Chemist Auer von Welsbach. The first lighters making use of this superior sparking metal appeared on the markets between 1905 and 1907. In this section I present an extract of my collection dealing with lighters made before the dawn of this modern technology. A variety of lighting methods had been developed in the time period between ca. 1850 and 1900: Some methods concentrated on the simplification of the use of friction matches or they were based on cap-ignition of the fire-arms of that time. Other methods based on friction of emery and carbonized steel or the catalytic reaction of platinum sponge and oxygen in evaporated methanol.

Description (Maker or Model A-Z)

Click for another Picture (if available)

Click for Patent

Alkomet: Made by an unknown manufacturer in Germany ca. 1906. A catalytic lighter, operating with Methanol and Platinum sponge and a semi-automatic mechanism (shown in patent drawing). Patented in Germany by Georg Salomonsohn in 1908. This model was made before the patent was granted to the inventor.

Amorce: A Later model of a semi-automatic cap lighter ca. 1895. Origin is likely to be
Germany. The ignition hammer is activated by the push button in combination with the opening of the lid. The cap tape is transported automatically. Very similar to the Fulmen Pinel from Belgium. Unusual embossed decorative pattern.

Dangerfield - Igniting Match Case: Made by
S. Dangerfield Manufacturers, Auburn NY,
USA, ca. 1881. An automatic Match Vesta, producing and holding a lit match by moving the slide button. First patented in 1879 by Francis S. Dangerfield.

ED’ ARGY: Made in Belgium ca. 1850 by
ED’ ARGY. Exceptional friction lighter using sulphur- or amorce-caps and a friction mechanism with extractable activator. result is a glowing or burning cap. Container for Caps. Marked: Patented in France and England.

Erie Cigar Lighter: One of the earliest Caplighters known, made by Erie in the USA
ca. 1880. The ring activates a
hammer-mechanism that ignites a cap on tape to light a fusee. The brass version is a very early model. Patented by George Selden and James M. Keep (USA 1865,1877, 1878).

Foley & Ruse Pellet Match Lighter: Made in Canada (Bowmanville) by Foley & Ruse ca. 1888. Exceptional automatic Pellet Match Magazine. The Pellets are like the heads of sulphur matches. Pushing the central pin produces, ignites and holds a burning pellet. Very short production period of less than 2 years. Patented by James Foley and Joseph Ruse in CDN, USA and GB as from 1887.

Folmer & Schwing: Made in USA ca. 1891 by Folmer & Schwing MFG Co., a manufacturer of photo camera supplies. Pocket watch shaped amorce cap lighter with large cap disc and petrol. Ignition provided by a scriber. High quality object patented by William Folmer in 1891.

(The) Fountain Pocket Lamp: Made in USA
ca. 1893. A phantastic cap lighter comprising a magazine with max. 50 single caps, ignited with a scriber to light the wick. Unique concept. Complete set with lighter, box, instruction sheet and cap supply. View 2 more photos by clicking on photos shown here. Click on patent icon to see the 1893 patent plus both instruction sheets.

Fulmen Pinel: Made in Belgium by H. Joris (Liège) ca. 1908. A later amorce cap lighter with semi-automatic hammer mechanism and cap tape. Contains specialities like a safety lock and a removable petrol tank. Patented in Switzerland in 1905 by Emile Pinel and in England in 1907.

Jagdfeuerzeug (hunting lighter): Made in Austria (K.K. Monarchy), ca. 1890. Early amorce-cap-lighter comprising petrol wick and fusee. It comprises a so called Theatre Lamp, used to find one’s way in a dark theatre plus a fusee for outdoor convenience. This specific model was published by S. Bisconcini on the cover of his book. This is one of very few existing pieces.

Little Gem: Made by Magic Introduction Co. in New York and Chicago ca. 1892. A unique amorce-tape cap lighter with rotating drum for the cap tape and a scriber. The Chicago model is much harder to find than the New York version. Marked “Patent applied for”. Patented in 1892 by Nathan Matthewson.

Luminus Paris: Made by Luminus in Paris ca. 1890. Early electric lighter with liquid battery (probably diluted sulphur acid) and zinc/carbon electrodes. Operates with a pilot wick close by the platinum filament and a main wick. The pilot wick lights the main wick for longer use without stressing the battery.

(The) Macbeth: Made by Garrett in England ca. 1897. A great automatic match vesta. The matches are pushed out of the container (with a slide), striking a sharp steel scriber. The burning match is clamped by the scriber. Patented by Frank Garrett in 1897 (England).

Magicienne: Made by a French manufacturer (marked A.F.) ca. 1890. A great automatic match vesta. The matches are pushed out of the container (with a long rod), striking a sharp steel scriber. The burning match is clamped by the scriber. Patented in France (undiscovered).

Magicienne: Made by a French manufacturer (marked A.F.) ca. 1890. A great automatic match vesta. The matches are pushed out of the container (with a long rod), striking a sharp steel scriber. The burning match is clamped by the scriber. Smaller model with beautiful engravings. Patented in France (undiscovered).

Magic Pocket Lamp: Made by Magic Introduction Co. in New York ca. 1895.
A unique amorce-disc cap lighter with  a scriber. - A highly successful cap lighter in the USA. Patented in 1889 and 1890 by Elias B. Koopman.

Matchless Cigar Lighter: Made by M.C.L. Manufacturing Co. New York, ca. 1900. The fast rotation of a steel wheel starts with the opening of the cover. The friction with an emery stone creates a spark for the fusee. Patented by Stockwell and Weisz in 1897 an by Amelie Weisz in Germany in 1905.

The Matchless Lighter: Made by Weisz Manufacturing Co., Brooklyn, ca. 1899. The fast rotation of a steel wheel starts with the opening of the cover. The friction with an emery stone creates a spark for the fusee. A higher quality (and earlier) version of the
M.C.L. product. Patented by Stockwell and Weisz in 1897.

Max und Moritz: Made by an unknown manufacturer in Germany ca. 1908. A 1st generation catalytic lighter, operating with methanol and platinum sponge. Telescopic frame with sponge. Seperate container for paraffin and wick, to be used as a lamp. Named after Wilhelm Busch’s famous twins. Marked Pat. Pend. Patented by Fritz Deimel in 1908 (Germany).

Pasteyer: Made by J. Pasteyer in Paris ca. 1887. Friction lighter with steel-wheel and emery. Complicated gear in a circular cage. Patented in France.

Percussion Lighter: Made by an unknown manufacturer in France ca. 1850. Percussion lighter using amorce-caps and a percussion mechanism underneath the barrel. Form of a duel pistol with container for a clay pipe. The fusee is missing. Marked: Patented in France.
 

Percussion Lighter: Made by a manufacturer, (probably L&J) in France ca. 1850. Percussion lighter using amorce-caps, a percussion mechanism and a fusee. Form of a hoof. Container with spare caps. Marked: Déposé.
 

Pyrofix: Made by an unknown manufacturer in Germany ca. 1908. A 1st generation catalytic lighter, operating with methanol and platinum sponge. Telescopic frame with sponge and spare tank for methanol. Patented by Paul Brandt and Carl Krueger in Germany in 1908.

Pyrogène: Made by an unknown manufacturer (marked CBG) in France ca. 1850. A practical pneumatic air compression lighter (piston) using tinder, comprising a small container for the latter. Fully marked lighter, showing a burning torch symbol, CBG, Pyrogène and a marking of a French patent. Extraordinary!

Reliable Pocket Lamp: Made by Henry W. Maybaum, Philadelphia, USA, ca. 1891.
A semi-automatic amorce cap-lighter with a large thumb-wheel and a scriber for ignition. Early version marked “Pat. appl. for.”.
US-Patent granted to John H. Farell in 1891.

Sport Feu: Made in Germany, probably by Goliasch & Co, Berlin, ca. 1890. Early amorce-cap-lighter comprising petrol wick and fusee. Lovely embossed hunting motive. Patented in Germany by Eduard Köhler (Koehler) in 1880.

Universa 1: Probably made by Megill, USA ca. 1885. A very early amorce cap-lighter, able to wind up the used amorce-tape. Patented by Edward L. Megill in 1880 (USA).

Various: Early Amorce Cap Lighter, marked Isle of Man 1892. Similar to the Koehler patent and probably made in Germany. Semi-automatic action via ring.

Vaudaine: Made in France ca. 1882. Exceptional early Rack lighter with rotating emery-wheel and fusee plus an integrated matchbox with striking face. To operate, the button needs to be pushed hard. Patented by Joseph Vaudaine in 1881.

(Système) Vaudaine: Probably made in France ca. 1885. Early Rack lighter with rotating emery-wheel and fusee. Extravagant mechanism.

Wax lighter: Made in USA by Magic Introduction Co. ca. 1891. Semi-automatic Wax-amorce cap-lighter with wax-amorce tape and concealed slide-actuator. Invented by the German Carl Wolf and patented in the USA in 1891.

Zuendmaschine “Non plus ultra”: Made in Austria ca. 1885 by an unknown manufacturer. A magnificent amorce-cap table lighter comprising an igniting device like the Erie- or the Goliasch cap lighters. Missing burner and ashtray. Marked: K.K. Privilegium (a patent).