POTD: It is a Little Dark in Here – Flintlock Tinder Lighters
Sam.S 01.31.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a single example of an interesting invention that came to prominence in the Napoleonic era. This is just one example of what Flintlock Tinder Lighters can be. Popularized versions tend to have a candle holder and respective candle on top or off to the side. The purpose of these Flintlock Tinder Lighters was to be able to light a candle on the go 9lighters and matches were not common use). The way that these devices work is that there is typically a space/reservoir that holds a tinder of some sort and above that box is a normal flintlock mechanism that would shoot sparks into the box when firing. The user could then dip their candle into the box and light their candle.
“1) Attractive unmarked iron-handled flintlock tinder lighter with storage compartment and candle holder on the left, and bipod stand on the bottom. 2) Unmarked wooden-handled flintlock tinder lighter with storage compartment on the left (contains a piece of flint and part of a candle) and light floral/vine type carving on the handle.”
Lot 3304: Two Desirable Antique Flintlock Tinder Lighters. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/79/3304/two-desirable-antique-flintlock-tinder-lighters.
