Posted 12 years ago
Ted
(2 items)
I purchased this in Bulgaria in the streets of Sophia years ago. It opens and functions as a cigarette lighter. However, I do not smoke, and purchased it simply as an item of interest as it boor the rings of the Olympics which were held in Berlin in 1936. Have no idea of its value or history. I am aware that Adolf Hitler purchased many such items with Swastikas placed on them and gave those items as gifts to his senior staff. I have no such proof that this is one of them.
This item is approximately 3" tall and 5/8" in diameter.
ted - your lighter is a recent manufacture. all lighters with applied swastikas are made in last 20 years as fakes. search hitler anti-smoking and you will find he was against smoking. german scientists told him in the 1920's that smoking caused serious health problems and that was contrary to hitler's idea of the perfect german. hitler also smoked during his service in ww1 and thought it a dirty habit. he was planning to end smoking in the army after war ended. he was the first leader of any country to enact laws to restrict smoking.
some 1936 olympic lighters were made but they were mostly sold to foreigners and did not feature swastikas. i have seen about 30-40 applied swastika lighters over the last 25 years and they are all on different models - most of which have no brand name and many are cheaply made. collectors seem to love them and do not know they are fakes.
ted - i forgot to mention most fakes are made in eastern europe.
hi guis,i just read the coments-Hitler was non smoker-that is true,but pay attencion that the durring the Olimpian games trought 1936 there is a lighters was made for the guests and other staff like trainers,guests,,etc-please check this out-
http://www.artiquesroadshow.com/sault_ste_marie.htm
https://www.google.bg/search?q=berlin+lighters+1936&espv=2&biw=1242&bih=585&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH8pSVlr7JAhWBqSwKHVeRAWEQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=5sGE0fpwIES5JM%3A
https://www.google.bg/search?q=berlin+lighters+1936&espv=2&biw=1242&bih=585&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH8pSVlr7JAhWBqSwKHVeRAWEQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=awMB8mjLNQM2OM%3A
so do not make general conclusions-there is a 100% AUTHNETIC LIGHTERS-thisis piece that Ted bought from Bulgaria are 100% percent fake-true-best regars