A few weeks ago, when ordering some motorcycle gear, I took a random look at the ‘Presents&co.’ section. There I found a lighter that caught my eye.

Made of first-grade but vintage-looking brass, it’s a replica of those used by French soldiers in the first World War.

It’s an inexpensive gadget which is always a pleasure to look at. You’ll see a bigger picture and a video after the break.

This gadget is all about the looks. The solid brass and the flimsy yet sturdy and functional mechanics could even push this toward the steampunk genre.

How it works? Well, I’ve always had difficulties explaining things in words rather than demonstrating them, so here’s a steaming fresh video I just made

As you could see in the movie, it’s not very easy to close it with only one hand. The usual procedure would be to hold the outer shield and push its bottom side against your hand or table or anything.

You can get it at louis.de in Europe (for 9,95 Euros), or for $20 from militarytour.com - four our friends across the ocean.

To wrap this up, here’s a nice big picture of it with a pack of tobacco and a box of small cigarette papers, just where it belongs