Restoring a WW2 Petrol Lighter: The German Version of a "Zippo"

Wow… Perfectly restored, perfect video recording, perfect editing, and extremely creative production. I really liked how you dumped the old cotton into a medical instrument tray… clever! Thanks for a very entertaining video! 👍👍👍 ~John in Ohio

Well done! There also is an Austrian version of this trench lighter. The brand name is IMCO and they still make them today. Retail price is less than 20€. I personally think both lighters are by design superior to Zippo. Greetings from Belgium.

I love this. Old lighters are so interesting and well designed. I hate that everything now is just a piece of disposable plastic.

I watched this with Mister P. Junior. We both think you did a pretty sweet job here, beardy man. ❤

I have to say I LOVE the beer ratings. On YouTube there are a handful of really excellent restorers who all show great care and attention to detail on every project, and you are most definitely on this list. BUT because you had the great idea to do something simple and extra like tasting and rating 1 different beer with each restoration, you unmistakably stand out from your peers. There are maybe a couple dozen other really great restoration channels on your level, but there is only 1 Dr. Beer! I have no doubts that so long as you are willing to keep going you will find ever greater success with your channel and it is well deserved, cheers!

That looks very much like an Imco which was as Austrian company. Very nice restoration - thanks.

Perfect job, especially the plating. I know how hard that can be but you really did a beautiful job my friend!

A nice restoration Dr. Beer. We had many items for sale in this country called 'Ideal' many of which were most definitely not during this period but were sometimes all that was available and I have a lighter that my grandfather owned that is very similar to yours. He fought in WW1 and bore no grudge, he employed an au pair from Austria in the 1930s. My father lived through WW2 and had a German pen pal from the 1960s who I still correspond with. NO TO WAR.

This restoration was so relaxing to watch. As I see it, a proper restoration of a lighter requires exactly the discipline you possess. I agree that the parts should be kept as intact as possible. The plating was the ultimate demonstration of skill, and patience. After assembly, the lighter looked as if it was made yesterday! I cannot thank you enough for resurrecting these machines from the past. It gives the young people watching a glimpse into the methods, and design engineering from the early 40s. More importantly, it will inspire some to learn a trade that involves using tools, sandpaper, and chemical processes, instead of spending hours playing video games. Grolsch is one of my favorite beers. It is unpasteurized because the Dutch believe that this treatment changes the character of the finished brew. I want to try Grolsch Dark, if I can find a reputable vendor who carries it. Thank you once again for this incredible posting. I look forward to the next. Stay safe during this modern-day pestilence.

I’ve always liked Grolsch beer. Nice to see it scored so well. Very nice restoration, too!

Now there is a blast from the past. My dad is Welsh (uk) where I was born & my mum was Austrian, having come to Wsles just after the war ended for work where they met. My dad had 3 of these lighters & I remember them well... they were excellent.

Every man had one of those when I grew up in 70's rural Spain!!!! so many memories...

Of all the beer you have reviewed, this is the first one that I have had myself.

Waited with bated breath for the lighting at the end, forcing myself not to peek at the conclusion. Glad I watched through your talented skills, beautifying a relic with an inspiring note against war. Grolsch is an old favorite, I've not bought for years. You've encouraged me to view another of your videos AND buy a six pack of Grolsch. Thanks again.

Sehr fachmännisch restoriert mit schönes Endresultat, ich hatte damals im mitte 60tiger so eine 'lookalike' Doppelgänger von Marke IMCO war auch sehr gut!

In the 70s i had such one. Good work!

It is nice to see a True Craftsman at work 👍👍

The Germans had slightly different lighters. Not ribbed but round in shape with grooves. When I was little, we often went to broken German positions and looked for weapons and ammunition there. Lighters like yours were mostly among immigrants from Austria, I still remember the Germans had zinc posthumous tokens, and the Austrians had brass or copper. And the Austrians were richer than the Germans in terms of little things in their pockets, gold rings, chains, watches, Swiss penknives, finding the remains of an Austrian was a great success. All Germans, even officers, were like beggars with empty pockets.

My fav so far ... so nice to watch ... now for my Beer ... 👌

Parts tumbler is slick