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.

I Found My Husband Embracing Our New Neighbor and Was Shocked by the Resemblance of Her Son

My husband had been visiting our beautiful new neighbor quite often, helping with heavy boxes or fixing a lightbulb. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore and went over with some cookies, pretending to be a friendly neighbor. That’s when I saw a little boy… He was the spitting image of my husband!

I began noticing how often David helped our new neighbor, Lauren. At first, it seemed harmless—carrying boxes, fixing a broken door, simple things neighbors usually do. But as the days went by, his visits to her house became more frequent.

“Why do you keep going over there?” I asked him one night, my voice betrayed a hint of annoyance.

He shrugged, barely looking up from his phone.

“She just needs help with a few things. It’s no big deal, Sarah.”

“No big deal? You’ve been over there almost every day this week.”

David sighed, brushing me off with a wave of his hand.

“You’re overthinking this. She’s a single mom; she just needs some support. It’s nothing.”

He wouldn’t cheat on me, right? Not David. He’s just being kind, that’s all.

For a moment, I let it go, convincing myself that my husband couldn’t be doing anything wrong. But then came that afternoon, the one that changed everything.

I came home earlier than usual. As I walked up the driveway, I saw them.

David and Lauren were standing on her porch. They were close, too close. And then it happened. His arms wrapped around her like it was the most natural thing in the world.

What is he doing? Why is he holding her like that?

Suddenly, all those little doubts I had shoved aside came crashing down, louder than ever.

David, my David, was cheating.

The next morning, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to do something. Sitting there, watching David act like nothing was wrong, was driving me crazy.

I had to see Lauren myself. Maybe I was wrong, and there was some innocent explanation for all of this. But if there wasn’t, I needed to know.

I grabbed a box of cookies, hoping it would make me look friendly instead of nosy.

“Just a neighborly visit,” I told myself, walking across the street to Lauren’s house.

Lauren opened the door, looking surprised to see me.

“Oh, hi, Sarah!”

“Hi, Lauren,” I replied, holding up the cookies like a peace offering.

“I thought I’d bring these over. You know, just to say ‘welcome to the neighborhood.’”

“That’s so sweet of you. Come in.”

Lauren was still a bit shocked.

The house smelled faintly of fresh paint, and toys were scattered around the living room. As we made small talk, my eyes darted around, searching for any sign of David’s presence, anything that might confirm my worst fears. I could hardly focus on what Lauren was saying.

Suddenly, a small boy came running into the room, giggling. He couldn’t have been older than five. He had dark hair, the same shade as David’s, and those familiar brown eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

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“Max, say hi,” Lauren said, smiling at the boy.

Max waved shyly before running off to play. I stood there, frozen. That boy… he looked so much like David.

Could it be? Could Max be David’s son?

The resemblance was uncanny, and the thought that David might have a child with Lauren twisted my gut in ways I didn’t think were possible.

“Sarah, it’s Max’s birthday, and we’re having a little party. Nothing too big, just a few friends, cake, you know. Come with David. It will be fun!”