return to Bowers index

• This type of windproof lighter did not exist during World War 1, but is often deceptively described as a "trench lighter".
• The original design for these Bowers lighters was patented in Austria by Hans Silberknopf during 1925/1926.
• IMCO manufactured and distributed this lighter design worldwide for 5 to 10 years before Bowers produced variations of it.
• These Bowers lighters are often called "Sure-Fire" because this branding is sometimes engraved on the outer wind guard.
• "Sure-Fire" is not a name that applies to a specific lighter model, Bowers used this branding for some flip-top windproof lighters too.
• "Kalamazoo Wind Proof Lighter", "Bowers Windproof Lighter" and "Kalamazoo All-Weather Lighter" are different names used for these lighters in advertising.
• Bowers began manufacturing these lighter in the early 1930s and produced them for about 20 years. Two significantly different versions were produced and numerous subtle manufacturing variations exist among these.