What’s this object called?

Answers from the Community

1. 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.
2. Army lighter that lights in the wind while covering the flame to avoid getting your face shot off.
3. It is a lighter, but it might be a replica.
4. It’s a miniature nuclear bomb hand grenade. DON’T pull the pin!
5. Looks like a copy of an Austrian 1920s IMCO windproof lighter.
6. Looks like a bobbin for an old treadle sewing machine.
7. It’s a lighter – I’ve got one made of brass.
8. Windless lighter – hard to find parts for it, but worth the effort to make it work. Awesome find!
9. 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.
10. Military torchlight for when you can’t light campfires.
11. I haven’t seen one of those in a long time.
12. Trench lighter from WWII.
13. Windproof lighter.
14. I have one and it’s a lighter.
15. It’s a coconut, duh.
16. Prototype proto pipe.
17. Steampunk suppository.
18. Fire starter, flint.
19. A vintage lightsaber.
20. 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.

Woman leaves an empty seat for her late son on her wedding day – She can’t believe it when she sees an unknown person sitting in the chair…

Life is unpredictable. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to make things right, God has other plans.

Becky is a woman who tragically lost her son Tristan, who was just 19 years old at the time he left this world. Her grief was immense. She couldn’t possibly imagine her life without her child, but over time, her loved ones helped her accept the reality and move on.

Around two years after Tristan’s passing, Becky was about to marry the love of her life, a man named Kelly.

On the day of their wedding, the two decided to leave an empty seat in Tristan’s honor with a heartwarming message written on it. “What should I do now that I’ve arrived in heaven for your wedding? I will stoop to your level in order to spend it with you. Please save me a seat, even if there is only one available chair. Although you might not notice me, I shall be present.”

As the ceremony proceeded, Kelly informed Becky that there was someone there who wanted to see her. A young man who took Tristan’s chair. When she saw him, Becky wasn’t mad. On the contrary, spotting the young man, she was overwhelmed and couldn’t stop tears from rolling down her face.

That man, Jacob, was the recipient of Tristan’s heart. Tristan was an organ donor, and Jacob wasn’t the only person whose life he saved.

When Kelly informed Jacob that he and Becky are getting married and invited him to the ceremony, Jacob was more than willing to travel from San Diego in order to attend it. It was a beautiful surprise that warmed Becky’s heart and made her day. She felt like her son was present on her wedding day.

Becky was then given a stethoscope so that she could hear her late son’s heartbeat. It was an emotional moment no one could ever forget.

Someone snapped photos of the beautiful surprise and shared it on Facebook. The story went viral in a matter of days and many praised Kelly for his love for Becky.

Many people took their time to comment, with one person writing: “Why is it that we can’t just have one news channel that is dedicated to delivering uplifting and motivational stories like this one? If only the goodness and thoughtfulness that exists in the world were distributed more widely, it could inspire more of the same.”