Dunhill Rollagas Lighter, Hobnail Pattern - Serviced, 6 Month Guarantee

This silver plated Hobnail pattern Dunhill Rollagas, with a concealed hinge, was manufactured in April 1979.  As the lighter is 40 years old, it has fine scratches and some plate loss.  It has one small dent at the bottom, as can be seen in the last picture.

It comes fully refurbished with new O-rings and works like new.  I am prepared to guarantee the lighter against gas leaks for six months. Please ensure to use triple refined gas.  The lighter uses Dunhill Red Flint, obtainable from Wesley's Tobacconists, Rosebank Mall, Rosebank, Johannesburg. Their website is www.wesleys.co.za.

Please inspect the pictures carefully to satisfy yourself of the condition of the lighter.  The pictures are those of the exact item you will be bidding on.

Happy Bidding!

Here is some history of the Dunhill Rollagas lighter:

Dunhill did not manufacture their own lighters,  but the brand is synonymous with many patents and firsts.  These are in no small part to whom we’d call the father of the Rollagas as we know it, Conrad Zellweger, a watchmaker, at the La Nationale factories in Switzerland.  Conrad, Louis Willie, Louis Bourquin and Leon Bolle improved upon their ideas and developed the patents that are still used today.  Things like the filling valve , burner system, and flame adjuster all came out of the Swiss factories and each of these were patented by Zellweger.

The Rollagas was patented in 1956 and production began in 1957.  Production of the all metal lighters ended in 2004.  Ironically the patent on the bottom of many Rollagases only pertains to the gas inlet valve and not the external design nor the other valves.  Those came from Zellweger's patents at La Nationale.

Initially the Rollagas was only offered in gold and silver plated “engine turned” barley-corn pattern bodies with smooth lids. Other patterns were offered beginning in the early 60’s including the Florentine pattern , hobnail, and “engine turned” diamond patterns.

These older models have no plastic parts.  The only non-metal parts are three rubber O-rings that seals the gas in.  Modern day Rollagas lighters, that sell for R10 000 upwards, do have plastic components to make the manufacturing process affordable.  Dunhill cannot afford the manufacturing standard of the older models any more.