Answers from the Community
- Trench lighter – I’ve got one from my father. It was often made from spent rounds with a few modifications to create a lighter. I had a .20 caliber case with an old threepenny coin soldered in the base, which was also a lighter.
- Army lighter that lights in the wind while covering the flame to avoid getting your face shot off.
- It is a lighter, but it might be a replica.
- It’s a miniature nuclear bomb hand grenade. DON’T pull the pin!
- Looks like a copy of an Austrian 1920s IMCO windproof lighter.
- Looks like a bobbin for an old treadle sewing machine.
- It’s a lighter – I’ve got one made of brass.
- Windless lighter – hard to find parts for it, but worth the effort to make it work. Awesome find!
- Miniature German hand grenade used by trained suicide ferrets in WWI. They ran up your pants leg and detonated at a critical junction, thus damaging many Privates’ privates.
- Military torchlight for when you can’t light campfires.
- I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.
- Trench lighter from WWII.
- Windproof lighter.
- I have one and it’s a lighter.
- It’s a coconut, duh.
- Prototype proto pipe.
- Steampunk suppository.
- Fire starter, flint.
- A vintage lightsaber.
- A vibrator from 1890.
The WW1 Trench Lighter: A Piece of History
The WW1 Trench Lighter stands as an iconic piece of history, highlighting the ingenuity born out of necessity during wartime. Soldiers in the trenches of World War I needed a reliable way to light their cigarettes or pipes amidst harsh conditions. Traditional lighters often failed in the wet and muddy environment of the trenches.
The Invention
Enter the Trench Lighter. This simple yet effective device, typically made of metal, featured a hinged mechanism that protected the flame from wind or rain. Soldiers could easily ignite it with one hand, keeping the other hand free.
Craftsmanship and Resourcefulness
These lighters were often crafted from spent bullet casings or other scrap materials found on the battlefield. This showcased the resourcefulness of soldiers. Beyond their primary function of providing light and fire, they became cherished keepsakes, serving as tangible reminders of wartime experiences.
Collector’s Item
Today, WW1 Trench Lighters are sought after by collectors and history enthusiasts, offering a tangible connection to the soldiers who once carried them.
The Trench Lighter’s Legacy
Also known as a “pipe lighter” or “pocket lighter,” the WW1 Trench Lighter holds a unique place in military history. Born from the needs of trench warfare, these lighters were not just functional tools but also symbolic artifacts of soldierly resilience and innovation.
Design and Durability
Typically crafted from brass, steel, or other durable metals, the Trench Lighter consisted of a tubular casing with a hinged lid protecting the flame. Inside, a flint and striking wheel mechanism produced a spark, igniting the fuel reservoir.
Adaptability
Designed to withstand the damp, muddy, and windy environment of the trenches, the hinged lid shielded the flame and prevented fuel loss, ensuring reliable ignition even in adverse weather.
Sentimental Value
Many soldiers crafted their own lighters using readily available materials, adding a personal touch. Engraved initials, regimental insignia, or other markings often adorned these lighters, transforming them into cherished mementos of camaraderie, hardship, and survival.
Enduring Legacy
Though the heyday of Trench Lighters ended with WWI, their legacy endures. Today, these vintage lighters are prized by collectors and history enthusiasts, offering a tangible link to the past.
Stepmother shares heartfelt wedding vows with her four-year-old stepson, and his response is truly touching
There’s something uniquely moving about weddings that often brings tears of joy to everyone involved. Four-year-old Gage learned this lesson in a profound way during his father, US Marine Corps Sergeant Joshua Newville’s wedding to Senior Airman Emily Leehan in Ripley, New York, a few years back.
Little Gage was doing a great job of holding it together until the moment his father’s bride began reciting vows she had personally written for him. That’s when the emotions hit him hard.
As Gage stood proudly by his father’s side during the ceremony, he had no idea that Leehan had prepared a special set of vows just for him. When she began to share them in front of a teary-eyed audience, it quickly became overwhelming for the little boy.
As Leehan started: “I want you to be safe, and to try your hardest and to be a good person”, Gage could no longer contain himself and burst into tears, throwing his arms around her.
The audience collectively gasped, responding with a heartfelt “awww” as Leehan tried to comfort him, saying: “Don’t cry, baby”. At that moment, it was clear that Gage’s emotional outpouring was entirely understandable.
Leehan continued: “The last thing I hope you learn is that you are a special boy. You are so extremely smart, handsome, and kind to others. You have helped shape me into the woman that I am today, and while I may not have given you the gift of life, life certainly gave me the gift of you”.
It wasn’t just Gage who was overcome; both Leehan and Newville shed tears as they continued with their vows. Gage certainly captured the spotlight, not just with his adorable suit and innocent gaze, but also with a reaction that is sure to resonate with viewers everywhere.
According to ABC7, the newlyweds, Leehan and Newville, returned to active duty immediately after their wedding and couldn’t head off for a honeymoon right away. Instead, they went back to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to begin their married life.
Despite the busy schedule, their ceremony was unforgettable. You can watch the heartwarming video of Gage’s reaction to Leehan’s vows below, be sure to have some tissues handy! It was a truly beautiful ceremony and a poignant reminder of love’s incredible power. We wish Joshua and Emily all the best in their journey together.
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