Description: ORIGINAL GENERAL DWIGHT EISENHOWER'S PERSONAL 4 STAR STERLING ZIPPO LIGHTER FROM WWII - D-DAY. Take a look at what is in my humble opinion one of the most historic zippo lighters extant. This circa 1939-40 sterling zippo belonged to General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was given by him to one of his best friends and former WWII General - Benjamin F. Caffey. The two were life long friends as were their wives and they spent many visits together at each others homes after the war. Ike gave away his favorite lighters to close friends and bridge partners when he famously quit smoking cold turkey after the war. General Caffey's son of the same namesake - an Army Major sold the lighter in 1989 shortly before his passing - see notarized COA from son which explains that this 4 star DDE lighter was given to his father by Ike. The 4 stars impressed on the lighter correspond to a relatively short period when Ike was a 4 star - Feb 1943 - Dec 1944. Ike was a chain smoker of epic proportions, never more so than during the build up to D-Day and the sweating out period waiting to hear feedback from the invasion, there is a likelyhood that he was lighting his cigarettes with this lighter on that fateful day. Furthermore I believe logically that this was the lighter gifted to Ike during WWII by zippo founder George Blaisdell as evidenced by Ike’s thank you letter on display in the Zippo museum in Bradford PA dated November 24, 1943. It relates to Bradford his thanks and noting that it was the only lighter he has that lights at all times. Blaisdell was a great marketer and WWII was his best market, he sent other WWII notables custom zippos including Douglas MacArthur. Zippo reproduced a MacArthur lighter in 2004 for the Asian market. It is also a pre war sterling with the same stamped 4 stars, I believe the original resides in the MacArthur museum. Other Zippos were gifted to Ernie Pyle, Omar Bradley and others, my research indicates that none of the Blaisdell gift lighters during WWII were black crackle and I suspect they were all pre war sterling. I furthermore do not believe that stamped stars were a option for any buyer at any time during this period. Each gifted lighter given by Blaisdell were similar but unique in their decorations. Pyle in his thank you letter to Bradford noted the receipt of the black crackle lighters to hand out to friends as well as his own special and unique lighter - clearly stating that it is not black crackle. Pyle's and Bradley's had their signatures engraved, Ike's and MacArthur's had stars. I contacted the historian at Zippo but she could not help citing no records kept at Zippo. The lighter itself shows honest wear and use, the bottom markings are worn but legible in hand including sterling mark. The hinge is a period Zippo repair. The engine turning is still in good condition overall, the stars are excellent as is the DDE engraving. The insert is a period correct original 14 hole unmarked that I replaced as the insert that came with it was post war and believe this one displays well, the other will be included. With a new flint and fluid this lighter should work as well as it did in 1944. Also included are the original COA and period photos of Ike and Caffey. Why own one of the thousands of Zippo commemorative Eisenhower D-Day lighters when you can own his..... This would be the centerpiece of any collection or museum display. Guaranteed original! Please see my other auctions for more estate military items. Buyer pays shipping and handling, if you would like insurance let me know and I will add the figure to the S&H price in the invoice, paypal is accepted. Returns accepted if there was an error in the description. Thank you and good luck! PLEASE NOTE!!!!!!! For international transactions: you may be required to pay customs fees as required by your country's laws, they are not charged by me and I have no responsibility toward them. Winning bid amount will be entered on customs forms. I will not falsify customs forms. Bidders / buyers of edged weapons must be 18 years of age or older and by buying / winning this item you acknowledge that you can legally own and can have this item shipped to your state or country - know your laws! If customs confiscates your item you are responsible! You also assume responsibility for any injury cased by this item and do not hold me the seller responsible. Bid / buy accordingly.
Price: 124888 USD
Location: East Northport, New York
End Time: 2024-09-14T02:30:45.000Z
Shipping Cost: 75 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Brand: Zippo
