12thAF Matawan lighter

[Andrew]

Just received this cool Matawan lighter. It's really beaten up, is all aluminium unlike a zippo so is really lightweight, and has 12thAF, 321BG inscribed on it. From what I have read they were equipped with Mitchells in Nth Africa and worked in with the Commonwealth Forces.

I fitted a new flint and charged it with lighter fluid. It takes a bit of work but after 10 or so flicks she sparks into life again. If only this thing could give up some secrets, i'm sure it's seen a lot. It's been many years since I lit up but I do love an old lighter.

 

[dujardin]

splendid

cool to display it in the collection

 

[TankBuster]

Very Cool! Nice pick up.

 

[greyhound52]

Very cool, now you need to light up a big fat cigar with it!

 

[Andrew]

Now that's a good idea!

I love they way it's so dinged up, it really has seen some miles. I know that red paint looks a bit like an exclamation mark but i'd like to think it's a wayward splotch of aircraft paint that landed there whilst the owner was working on some plane's noseart....