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What is this Copper Alligator Supposed to Do? Mystery Item

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Not Sure What This Is, Jan 29, 2025.

  1. Not Sure What This Is

    Not Sure What This Is Active Member

    Hi,
    I've recently acquired this alligator / crocodile but I don't know what it is supposed to do. It's made of copper or copper plated metal, has glass eyes and a hinged tail. You can press down on the tail and I think that it should maybe eject something out of the hole in the mouth. The underside has two valves of some sort and is stamped in white IPM. It measures 7" in length. I was thinking maybe ink? I can't find anything else like it by searching the net.
    Does anyone have any clue? Copper-Crocodile-.jpg Copper-Crocodile-1.jpg Copper-Crocodile-2.jpg
     
    Figtree3 and pearlsnblume like this.
  2. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    It looks like a cigarette lighter to me
     
  3. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    upload_2025-1-29_15-54-31.png
    The yellow circled bit, is used to refill it with:
    upload_2025-1-29_15-55-36.png
    and I think the red circled bit is used to get a bigger or smaller flame
     
  4. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    If you push or pull the tail down or up, it should spark. If it doesn't, it needs a flint.
     
  5. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    I have the lion version
    IMG_6083.jpg
    (unable to take a better pic, with a complete image of the lion, as a stack of boxes is blocking the glass door of the cabinet :rolleyes::bag:)

    And I have a Godzilla and a locomotive lighter of the same type of material/colour. I think mine (and presumably yours as well) date from the late 80s/early 90s.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2025
  6. Not Sure What This Is

    Not Sure What This Is Active Member

    Thanks, everyone. That didn't occur to me, but it makes a lot of sense!
    Where would the flint go?
     
  7. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    it's most likely Peizo ignition.... no flint
     
    sabre123 and Marote like this.
  8. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    it's most likely Piezo ignition.... no peizo :p
     
    komokwa and sabre123 like this.
  9. Not Sure What This Is

    Not Sure What This Is Active Member

    Interesting! I'll have to look that up. I've never heard of that
     
    Marote and komokwa like this.
  10. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    Thanks Komo...I'm an old geezer
     
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  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    auto correct strikes again.....;)
     
    Marote likes this.
  12. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    from the days when I collected lighters........ no big thing..! :playful:;)
     
    Figtree3, Marote and sabre123 like this.
  13. Rayo56

    Rayo56 Well-Known Member

    Crap - Now I want one! :D
     
    Figtree3, komokwa and Marote like this.
  14. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    Google Lens shows one on a Dutch marketplace site, but it's no longer there. The seller still has many other lighters of the same type, but the gator is gone ...
    One of the lighters that are still available, is locomotive identical to mine
    upload_2025-1-29_23-26-34.png
     
    Figtree3 and komokwa like this.
  15. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    HA! He also has a dinosaur/Godzilla like mine
    upload_2025-1-29_23-34-14.png
    With this one, you have to pull the left arm down to get the flame.

    If I remember it well, the lion and the dino, are torch lighters, and I assume the same applies to the gator lighter. (and probably the same with the locomotive, but I'm getting old, and can't remember what type of lighter this was..:rolleyes:)
     
    Figtree3 and komokwa like this.
  16. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    it's not a wick lighter..... I tell ya what !!!
     
    Marote likes this.
  17. Marote

    Marote Well-Known Member

    I think I have one of those as well :D No idea where :rolleyes:
     
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