Historical information

A cigarette lighter is a portable device used to generate a flame. It consists of a metal or plastic container filled with a flammable fluid or pressurized liquid gas, a means of ignition, and some provision for extinguishing the flame. A spark is created by striking metal against a flint, or by pressing a button that compresses a piezoelectric crystal (piezo ignition), generating an electric arc. In naphtha lighters, the liquid is sufficiently volatile, and flammable vapour is present as soon as the top of the lighter is opened. Butane lighters combine the striking action with the opening of the valve to release gas. The spark ignites the flammable gas causing a flame to come out of the lighter which continues until the top is closed (naphtha type),
The Beney Company was founded by Robert Ernest Beney of London, England. R. E. Beney invented and marketed the first Beney mechanical lighter in 1919. Beney also designed and manufactured numerous luxury lighters and striker boxes for Alfred Dunhill of London as well as Hermes of Paris. In 1938, Beckenham based Beney Lighters was acquired, adding utility lighters and precision tools to the company's (Winn & Coates) ever growing list of products. The biggest selling line manufactured by Beney was the Economic Gas Lighter which hung on the side of housewife's gas cookers and was also used for lighting Bunsen burners in laboratories.
In 1939-1940 the company moved its administration to the Beney Lighter premises in Beckenham after the Head Office at Trinity Square along with many company records were destroyed in a 'doodlebug' flying bomb attack. Beney Ltd. continued producing lighters at least through the late 1954.

Physical description

A green metal cigarette lighter that used fuel and a striking action arm to produce a flame .

Inscriptions & markings

base: BENEY / COMPANION / PATENT 568897 / BRITISH MADE