Reclaim an old lighter...

[ElJavi76]

My friend asked me for some help and now I'm asking you guys. His father has a 70 year old ST Dupont lighter that is out of commission. He needs this thing reconditioned. I'm in NJ. Where might we be able to get this thing fixed. Jeweler? Or some other place. Here is a look at it. 

Help FOH.

[Cayman17]

According to my google search, there are two DuPont service centers located in the United Ststes. They are:

ART BROWN INTERNATIONAL 20 west 47 street suite 20R New York, NY 10036
Tel. +1 212-921-1144 [email protected]

ARS SALES AND SERVIcE
3450 Asheville Highway HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791 Tel. 828-693-3212 [email protected]

[kalibratecuba]

I live one town over from Hendersonville. I did not know about this place. I need to take a drive over there.

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[CaptainQuintero]

  I refurbished a 60's one a few years back and while you can do a lot to the externals and designs etc, I think you probably have to pony up and send to the official repair place. They come back with brand new internal workings etc. Expensive but in all honesty probably worth getting it done right

[RDB]

There is also a place called Salts in Coventry, England, that will do an excellent full repair job on these with original replacement parts. I’ve used them quite a few times. Probably a great deal less expensive than a Dupont official service, even with international shipping - but then you have the shipping risk.

[Fugu]

That is a collector's item. If your friend doesn't mind and is just looking for functionality, then get it serviced wherever they are able to do the job. If he cares about the collector's aspect, then he'd better have it serviced in France to keep its value and originality, in particular if parts need to be replaced. Or I'd suggest at least checking options with them. My 2cts.

[Lotusguy]

what would a lighter like that be worth? Approximately. Forgive my question I just didn't realize this was collectable. I have two that are similar and also don't work

I’m pretty sure this lighter is not 70 years old. The design looks much newer as does the stamp at the bottom.

[ElJavi76]

18 minutes ago, Lotusguy said:

I’m pretty sure this lighter is not 70 years old. The design looks much newer as does the stamp at the bottom.

I don't know the first thing about when it was made, but out of respect I didn't argue with my friend's 85 year old dad. Questioning whether or not it's 70, 60, or 50 years old kinda didn't matter. I took him at his word. 

[Lotusguy]

5 minutes ago, ElJavi76 said:

I don't know the first thing about when it was made, but out of respect I didn't argue with my friend's 85 year old dad. Questioning whether or not it's 70, 60, or 50 years old kinda didn't matter. I took him at his word. 

It's definitely a nice piece! The age will determine the value, though. It should be made from solid gold, actually.

[Edward7]

1 hour ago, Lotusguy said:

I’m pretty sure this lighter is not 70 years old. The design looks much newer as does the stamp at the bottom.

That looks like a ligne 2 that I have. It couldn't be older than 42 years as 1977 was the year of their first model. An authorized service center should be able to refurb that to perfect working order in no time.

[tomj]

I live in Hendersonville, NC will have to check that place out.

 

[Oscar300]

Nice Lighter, it dont mean a thing if it aint got that ping.

I have a couple, a table Line 2 with the double burner in silver and a normal size rose gold Line 2 with a double burner.  Love them both, use the table one every day and it is getting very old!  Still holds gas and lights like a boss.  The gold one is 'My precious'.

[ElJavi76]

28 minutes ago, Oscar300 said:

Nice Lighter, it dont mean a thing if it aint got that ping.

I have a couple, a table Line 2 with the double burner in silver and a normal size rose gold Line 2 with a double burner.  Love them both, use the table one every day and it is getting very old!  Still holds gas and lights like a boss.  The gold one is 'My precious'.

Wanna share some pics? I bought a STD Defi Extreme in all black. I'm enjoying it and I love it, but I see a lot of these older pieces on Etsy and eBay even. If I could get my hands on a good functioning piece I'd but it. 

[Lotusguy]

Wanna share some pics? I bought a STD Defi Extreme in all black. I'm enjoying it and I love it, but I see a lot of these older pieces on Etsy and eBay even. If I could get my hands on a good functioning piece I'd but it. 

My ligne 2 table lighter with significant patina.

[ElJavi76]

6 hours ago, Lotusguy said:

My ligne 2 table lighter with significant patin

Gorgeous @Lotusguy

[Oscar300]

Its the spit of LotusGuys, just a little more buffed lol.

 

I will have a look later, see if I have a pic of the other one.

[5thStarChicago]

I can personally vouch for ARS (Authorized Repair Service) Sales and Service in North Carolina.  It's where we send customer lighters all the time.  Not sure what they can do about the exterior but if you give it to them, they will completely overhaul the interior gaskets and parts and it should function like new.  It'll run you $150 ish, maybe more depending on other parts (it looks like the hinge might be bent or broken). 

FYI you used to be able to swap out the single flame jet for a double flame "cigar burner".  Not sure they still do that as the new Duponts we see all have dual burners anyway.  It's a nice option for cigars for certain.

[RDB]

Do go for a 'double burner' if you refurb: much better for cigars.

Second hand a 30 year-old vgc example Ligne 2 will go for about USD200-250, give or take. There are a LOT of fakes out there, and I would be very cautious buying anything on well-known online exchanges. I have a little collection of them, but I don't see it as an investment. They are just lovely objects to hold and use and have around. 

Of course if it is actually solid gold (it isn't) then you are looking at a totally different ball game...

 

 

[ElJavi76]

So I dropped my friend's lighter off at Art's luxury shop in Manhattan yesterday. He got it with the air hose and tried to fill the reservoir... I could hear it hissing. He said it obviously needs a new tank and a full service. So that's gonna set me back a few bux. 

I asked him if he has used ones for sale and they were all $250+, even for small Dunhills. Knowing what the service might cost give or take I think I wanna buy a used one on eBay and get it serviced and brought back to life. 

Has anyone been lucky enough to find any old Dunhill or DuPont lighters at the antique shops in Havana? I'll be there next week and would be a pig in poop if I could find something out there to get reconditioned, for the novelty of it. Those Dunhill long boys really do look beautiful.

Cheers guys and thanks for the advice to look up that place in NYC, @Cayman17.

[ElJavi76]

So I got inspired by my friend's dad's lighter and by some of the pictures all of you posted. I went to go see Art over in Manhattan and the dude was brilliant. He discovered almost immediately that the reservoir was punctured. Left and picked up yesterday. The Dupont is in great shape. Bought some extra flints for my friend. 

In the meantime I was busy on eBay trying to find myself something vintage and I picked up a Dunhill Rollagas. It's in great shape and recently refurbished. I bought flints at Art's too. Below are some pics for you enjoyment:

 

[Derboesekoenig]

10 hours ago, ElJavi76 said:

So I got inspired by my friend's dad's lighter and by some of the pictures all of you posted. I went to go see Art over in Manhattan and the dude was brilliant. He discovered almost immediately that the reservoir was punctured. Left and picked up yesterday. The Dupont is in great shape. Bought some extra flints for my friend. 

In the meantime I was busy on eBay trying to find myself something vintage and I picked up a Dunhill Rollagas. It's in great shape and recently refurbished. I bought flints at Art's too. Below are some pics for you enjoyment:

 

Brilliant. I will be on the lookout on eBay too! Always wanted a cool vintage soft flame like these