Ironically as I sit here with a glass of wine I find myself kind of obsessed with this cigar lighter.
From 1stdibs
Mappin and Webb Sterling silver grenade cigar lighter
England1918
An extremely rare 1918 Sterling silver table cigar lighter realistically modelled in the form of a No. 5 Mills grenade, complete with detachable ring, folding clip etc, with rubbed engraving reading “To Brig. Gen Sir C. W. King, KCMG, MVO, from old members of this staff, R. N. M. and A. E. T., 1918”. Signed and hallmarked Mappin and Webb, Birmingham 1918.
Note: Prior to 1915, stick grenades had proved as deadly to the thrower as to the intended target. Early in 1915, the engineer and inventor William Mills (1856 – 1932), opened the Mills Munition Factory in Birmingham. He redesigned the grenade and introduced the distinctive ‘pineapple’ appearance which improved grip for the thrower and fragmentation and detonation. Mills’ design incorporated a spring – loaded firing pin, locking the lever in place, and a 4-second time fuse allowed the thrower to take cover before it exploded. The British Army and its allies used the Mills grenade exclusively throughout the Great War, and it is estimated that over 75,000,000 were supplied during the conflict. Mills was rewarded for his efforts with a knighthood in 1922.
Authentically Historic!
