S.T. Dupont - S.T. Dupont modello D 57 - ST Dupont model D 57, petrol lighter, year 1953, in gold plated bronze, serial number N°

ST Dupont model D 57, petrol lighter, year 1953, in gold plated bronze, serial number J0771, in excellent condition, slight signs of age and use, fully functional; Really unmissable and above all almost impossible to find a practically new D57 specimen. The lighter is gold plated with a large vertical band design and is still in excellent aesthetic condition and perfect mechanical efficiency. Attention, because it is not the usual Dupont easily available on the market, but it represents the first example of a gas-powered lighter marketed by the French maison way back in 1953; Only 290,000 examples were produced; try to think, after 70 years, how small the number of "survivors" could be and above all how many of these are, I repeat, like new. . . The characteristics that differentiate it from the normal standard models are the flint holder slide and the particular mechanism contained in the small cylinder placed at the top of the ignition roller which ensures that the gas is not supplied when the cap is opened, but only when the cap is opened. the act of snapping the spark; At the time (1950s) , it was transformed into a petrol lighter, perhaps at the request of the "traditionalist" owner (lover of petrol lighters) or because the particular mechanism of the D57 was and is very complex and delicate. therefore subject to breakdowns, and a conversion to petrol was preferred at the request of the owner; The cartouche to be customized has been modified (see photo) , perhaps to accommodate a noble coat of arms, - larger -, instead of the initials of the name; Dimensions: 5. 8cm (height) x 3. 5cm (width) x 1. 4cm (thickness) ; Weight: 85 g; The lighter has recently been overhauled by a specialized technician and is therefore guaranteed to be in working order and free from defects. Extremely rare, to find and to see. Shipped with flint but empty of petrol, in compliance with current postal regulations. The case is original S. T. Dupont, but from a later era. Shipped with tracked mail, carefully packed and protected.