Introduction
I used to do whole posts showcasing photos from our visits to various antique shops. I still have a lot of unprocessed photos, but some are redundant, some are ho-hum, and some deserve a post of their own.
The latter is the basis for my decision to do a series called “Just Stuff”.
It will be a series of unrelated photos that might have, or might not have been treated with various effects and enhancements. Some are fairly straight forward. Some will take a shot at making people laugh . . . or at least smile.
Basically, they are photos that caught my eye, and I played with them to present and preserve them here. They will also be added to THIS GALLERY in SmugMug as each post is published.
The Photo In This Post
The above is a blow torch, and more specifically, a Turner Blow Torch. Judging from the photos I’ve seen around the web, this one is either in excellent shape, or a more recent version (or, perhaps, a reproduction) of same. I could not find a Wikipedia entry specific to Turner’s torches.
However, if you buy a vintage blowtorch, then THIS SITE might be of interest to you.
I should clarify in case it is not obvious . . . I added the writing on the photo, the title is my own, and it’s not really an early cigarette lighter, although I am sure it could be used as such.
That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.
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. . . my FP ward . . . chieken shit.
Disperser Tracks 
I’m guessing pushing the plunger repeatedly pressurizes the fuel tank and then you turn the valve and light the vapor. I think I’ll stick with my Bernzomatic. But it’s good looking and looks to be in good shape.
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Depends on the fuel. The presence of the plunger suggests a liquid fuel (per the wikipedia article I linked).
Regardless, still seems unsafe to me, but what do I know. I don’t use torches.
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Conversation:
‘Have a look at this pic.’
‘Well, it looks like a blow torch, solid, nice brass.
‘Yes, I’d say it was an early painter’s blow torch.’
‘Very good, it is.’
He looks at it again, puzzled.
‘It IS a blow torch, not a cigarette lighter. He’s got a funny sense of humour.’
(Note I didn’t let him read the text, just showed him the pic.)
We both agreed it was a good pic, and a nice bit of kit. I thought it was a cigarette lighter …
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The proper term is ‘weird’. I’ll have to look that up; painter’s torch.
Thank you.
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Only weird if you don’t find it funny too …
Painter’s blow torch for burning off old paint.
QV your comment below, olden days used paraffin, nowadays, gas.
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I had read some of the early ones used gasoline, but that seems nuts to me, so I’m not sure about the reliability of that particular piece of information.
On a side note, a search of painter’s torch brings up the same Wiki article I linked . And it also brings up a number of news stories relating to painters setting fire to houses (accidentally) while using torches to clear old paint.
Also a health report about the fumes resulting from warmed-up and melting paint.
I have a heat gun I use when doing work on pieces I want to clean and repaint (rare).
Thanks for the additional information.
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Anybody who used that equipment to light a cigarette,.or even a charcoal grill….beautiful as it is, would have more than a few regrets.
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I’m pretty sure things like this are still being used, probably even to light cigarettes. I have seen guys light cigarettes with all sorts of stuff back in the day.
I’m also sure a few might have singed a few eyebrows.
From reading about it, the equivalent current models all use a gas fuel, as opposed to a liquid fuel.
But yes; my interest would be strictly in the way of decoration as opposed to actual too.
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I had no idea. My have things changed/simplified!
Cool pic!
It would make a cool item to display…a definite conversation starter.
HUGS!!! 🙂
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I hope you are not still under the impression that was an actual cigarette lighter.
I would have bought it, but we’re trying to declutter, and in general get rid of stuff. So, it’s look, photograph, but don’t buy.
. . . antique dealers probably hate me . . .
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