Help with identification of ST Dupont Lighter

Hi, I picked this up at a yard sale. I can't seem to be able to find an identical one for identification and possible value. The pictures are pretty clear. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rawchop

[BTcigars]

That is a Dupont Ligne 1 (or line 1). Nice find, how much did you pick it up for?

Not more than $5.00 or so. I bought it with a group of other items including a sterling Tiffany desk calander, $120 for the lot. Is there a specific name for this particular lighter? Any idea as to age? Thanks so much for your reply.

[waffle]

Hope this helps.... google is your friend!!

Thanks Waffle. Yeah, I've been on Google but it's difficult, not knowing what I'm looking for. I guess the Ligne 1 is a lesser grade than Ligne 2. Just curious as to age and style. Is it a laquer lighter? What about the Asian characters on the one side? I've had many Zippos and Ronsons and a few Dunhills. I'd never even heard of this maker. I plan on selling it and just want to be as informed as possible. Best, R

[wayner123]

I'll give ya $10.00 for it! That's a 100% return!!

But on a serious note, it is going to be hard to determine much about it. Dupont is not known for keeping great records, especially not of their regular production lines. If you can take off that fuel cap and have a look underneath, there should be a colored dot. Most (not all) fakes do not thave this colored dot. Once you see the dot it will help you in narrowing your search.

Thanks Wayner, Here are a few pics of the cap removed. I don't see any color on the inside. Bad news? R

[wayner123]

Thanks for that. I can't really tell from the pics, but is this a gold lighter?

If so, I am going to go out on a limb and say it's real based on a few things:

1. The stamping of the letters is a bit crooked as it should be for a vintage Linge 1.
2. Vintage Ligne 1 Dupont's are rarely if ever faked
3. I have never seen a slotted fuel cap on a fake

However, for resale value it's going to be very low. You don't have any papers or boxes with it. And since it's a combo laquer and gold (I am assuming gold) and not full gold, it's weight in gold value is decreased. It also looks as if it has been used pretty well.

[Mugen910]

I need to start going to yard sales!

[HK3-]

If it works, I'd say you spent your $5 well.

Thanks, everyone for your interest. The lighter is gold in color with black inlay but It isn't marked with any metal content such as K (karat). I'm assuming it is plated if any real gold at all. You think the gold parts could be solid even though it isn't marked? I've seen some that were real gold but they were marked at the bottom of one of the narrow sides.

I don't know if it works or not as I dont have fuel. I does also need a flint. I figured out how to open the flint chamber but I don't have a flint either. Any way to test it without fuel? Just curious what you mean $-wise by "low" resale? It feels pretty hefty weight-wise. It certainly is a well made piece. I have an acid gold testing kit but I'm afraid to put any directly on the surface and risk any damage.

This forum has been very responsive and helpful. Thanks to all very much. R

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by rawchop

]Just curious what you mean $-wise by "low" resale? It feels pretty hefty weight-wise. It certainly is a well made piece.

Duponts are well made pieces. Heck even some of the fakes are well made pieces. But what I mean is without proper papers, having gold plating, and the wear on it, I wouldn't expect to get more than $50 for it. Still a good investment of $5 though.

Great! Thanks again for your time to help me on this. R

[poker]

I would be willing to bet it is only plated and not solid. The Ligne 1 editions are the entry level into the ST Dupont lighter line up. Used Ligne 1 lighters are fairly abundant and not really worth much on the open market, but it is probably worth more than what you paid for it.

Just for the record though:

The font stamp under the lighter is not what I am used to seeing on any Dupont I have ever come into contact with. The script S T Dupont looks way off to my eye.
If you contact ST Dupont and give them the serial number on the bottom, they can tell you without question if it is real or not.

And yes, if theres a real ST Dupont anything, theres fakes out there as well including the Ligne 1.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by poker

And yes, if theres a real ST Dupont anything, theres fakes out there as well including the Ligne 1.

Have you ever seen a fake with the slotted fuel cap instead of the swing arm version?

[poker]

Just found one almost identical, but you can see what I mean about differences on the bottom of the lighter.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1281wt_1137

[poker]

I would say more than 50% of any Dupont on Ebay is fake.

I would contact ST Dupont if you want the truth. I mainly delve into the Ligne 2 & Gatsby lighters only, and my experience with the Ligne 1 is very limited

Poker, Thanks again. I just sent an email with images off to ST Dupont and gave them the serial number. I'll let you know what I come up with. R

[poker]

Originally Posted by rawchop

Poker, Thanks again. I just sent an email with images off to ST Dupont and gave them the serial number. I'll let you know what I come up with. R

Good luck and whatever the results are, you got a nice lighter for 5 bucks.

[pektel]

Originally Posted by Esperos

Hello! This is an genuine vintage Gold (18K) & Black Lacquer S.T. Dupont Lighter. How much did you purchaced it for?

Originally Posted by rawchop

Not more than $5.00 or so.

Originally Posted by HK3-

If it works, I'd say you spent your $5 well.

Originally Posted by wayner123

Still a good investment of $5 though.

Hope that helps.