I Guess I’m Obsessed With Dunhill Rollagas Lighters Now…

[mtwaller]

Why didn’t anyone tell me you could get a clean, functioning Rollagas for less than a new Old Boy?! Probably for the best, seeing as I would’ve already bought a bunch of them.

Anyway, I recently became enamored with these lighters and I might’ve overdone it, as I’m liable to do, and got a beautiful pair of Barleys. By far the most attractive finish, from what I’ve seen. They both spark right up no problem, but they could definitely use some love. I’ve watched a ton of videos and I have some tools and supplies on the way, and I’m going to disassemble and overhaul both of them and convert them to angled flames. I’ll post some updates here as I get to working on them.

The gold one is clearly dated 1973. The silver one doesn’t have a visible code, so I’ll have to wait until I take it apart. That one also doesn’t have “Dunhill” under the lid… I’m guessing it might be earlier than the other? Either way, I’m in love.

 

[ofafeather]

Yeah. Great lighters. I have one like the gold one that was my father-in-laws. It sat in a box for over 15 years because it was non-functioning. I finally read about getting it overhauled. I think it was like $75 shipped, including a pipe nozzle conversion. Fantastic. My favorite lighter now.

 

[mtwaller]

Yeah. Great lighters. I have one like the gold one that was my father-in-laws. It sat in a box for over 15 years because it was non-functioning. I finally read about getting it overhauled. I think it was like $75 shipped, including a pipe nozzle conversion. Fantastic. My favorite lighter now.

That’s what I like to hear! I have to say, they look bigger in the listing photos. I was surprised at the small stature when I first held them.

 

[ofafeather]

I was surprised at the small stature when I first held them.

But that solid presence is so comforting.

 

[mtwaller]

But that solid presence is so comforting.

Indeed. And the snap of the lid closing is deeply satisfying. It feels… *chef’s kiss*

 

[xrundog]

I have a gold one I took in trade for some work. Freshly refurbished. I prefer my Zippo for pipes. But the Dunhill is terrific with cigars. I like it a lot.

 

[Briarcutter]

Now you get to clean them up! I'm no expert and I've not taken one apart but I've cleaned Duponts and Dunhill satisfactory using alcohol and Q-tips. I've cut off the cotton at a angle, used just the cardboard shaft and dipped it in alcohol for the tight corners. There's a guy here that restore lighters that could give you way more cleaning tips. Bottle of alcohol and a box of Q-tips and they will look like new.

 

[mtwaller]

Now you get to clean them up! I'm no expert and I've not taken one apart but I've cleaned Duponts and Dunhill satisfactory using alcohol and Q-tips. I've cut off the cotton at an angle, used just the cardboard shaft and dipped it in alcohol for the tight corners. There's a guy here that restore lighters that could give you way more cleaning tips. Bottle of alcohol and a box of Q-tips and they will look like new.

Yeah I’m planning to fully disassemble, it honestly looks satisfying and I want to get good at it. I’m going to take all the o rings out, soak all the parts in alcohol, scrub, etc then re grease all the seals and hopefully they’ll be damn nice looking and functioning lighters. I’ve got the right flints, good butane with an adapter on the way… I think I’ve got it all planned out right.

Eventually I’d like to get some non-functioning ones with all the original parts still there for hella cheap and restore them to their former glory. I paid decent money for these two because they’re functional. Cheaper would be great haha

 

[Dshift]

Ever since I was six, I was obsessed with lighters and I would collect, try to repair them or just destroy them just so I could learn how they worked. Now I have started dipping my toes in lighter restoration again and it's so much fun. I also presently discovered how nice rollagas are. I have had some great success but I am learning on my own and there are still a few things I need to figure out. Do we have someone here who does this professionally and is willing to share some pointers about spesific issues, tools and resources?

These are the ones I am working on right now. The dunhill Unique is the only one I managed to 100% restore so far, on the others I am stuck at around 90-95% completion.

 

[mtwaller]

Ever since I was six, I was obsessed with lighters and I would collect, try to repair them or just destroy them just so I could learn how they worked. Now I have started dipping my toes in lighter restoration again and it's so much fun. I also presently discovered how nice rollagas are. I have had some great success but I am learning on my own and there are still a few things I need to figure out. Do we have someone here who does this professionally and is willing to share some pointers about spesific issues, tools and resources?
View attachment 418528
These are the ones I am working on right now. The dunhill Unique is the only one I managed to 100% restore so far, on the others I am stuck at around 90-95% completion.

That’s super cool, that’s a great collection you’ve got there. And I love that smooth beveled top Rollagas, I think those look really great. Something I really want to do is find a roached out early silver barley with the bevel top and put a gold roller wheel, flame adjustment wheel, etc on it to achieve the two-tone look similar to that other one you’ve got pictured and like some others they did in the 80’s. Sacrilege? I hope not. I would only use authentic parts to do it. Minus a Chinese needle valve for the angled flame

 

[bootlegpipes]

Judging by your other post as well as your profile picture, I’d say your obsession is beauty; these lighters are just the latest expression

 

[daveinlax]

I’ve really enjoy collecting Rollsgas lighters! I’m happy the pipe burners are available to the public!

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Ever since I was six, I was obsessed with lighters and I would collect, try to repair them or just destroy them just so I could learn how they worked. Now I have started dipping my toes in lighter restoration again and it's so much fun. I also presently discovered how nice rollagas are. I have had some great success but I am learning on my own and there are still a few things I need to figure out. Do we have someone here who does this professionally and is willing to share some pointers about spesific issues, tools and resources?
View attachment 418528
These are the ones I am working on right now. The dunhill Unique is the only one I managed to 100% restore so far, on the others I am stuck at around 90-95% completion.

Who made the red one at the bottom of your photo?

 

[Dshift]

Who made the red one at the bottom of your photo?

That's an Aigner

 

[Dshift]

I’ve really enjoy collecting Rollsgas lighters! I’m happy the pipe burners are available to the public!
View attachment 418753

Could you share a link to the pipe nozzles, also do they fit the Unique too?

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

That's an Aigner

Thanks for the info. Nice collection of lighters.
I've got a Sillems Old Boy like yours except mine's covered in Chinese Lacquer. I love the way the body of the lighter bulges out. Looks like it's pregnant with the gas.

 

[paulfg]

Could you share a link to the pipe nozzles, also do they fit the Unique too?

I got mine here,I have been using it for over 1 year with zero problems.

Complete Pipe Conversion System for Any Dunhill Rollagas Standard Lighters | eBay.de

It can work for Dunhill 1/2/3/4/5th Generation ( Doesn't fit for Dunhill 6th Generation New Style Lighter).

www.ebay.de

 

[Dshift]

I got mine here,I have been using it for over 1 year with zero problems.

Complete Pipe Conversion System for Any Dunhill Rollagas Standard Lighters | eBay.de

It can work for Dunhill 1/2/3/4/5th Generation ( Doesn't fit for Dunhill 6th Generation New Style Lighter).

www.ebay.de

Thank you so much for the link

 

[mtwaller]

I just got a big Amazon delivery and got everything I needed to put together a little tool kit for refurbing Dunhill’s and a nice soft case to hold 8+ lighters and all flints, adapters, etc. I’m so into it haha I can’t wait to tear these things apart.

 

[Papamique]

I also have a Dunhill Rollagas gold lighter in the barley finish. It is by far my favorite lighter.

It just works! Even in a wind since the flame adjustment is conveniently placed it is easy to “bump it up” when outside and in wind.

It is also very solid, perfect size and perfect for display when not in use. Not to mention, the lighter can be serviced at home and most seals can easily be replaced.