Vintage German WWII Allied Occupation Army Willys Jeep Cigarette Case with Lighter and Ashtray from Walter Baier Company

Details

Description

Vintage aluminium willys jeep cigarette case set with lighter, cigarette holder and accompanying ashtray trailer made by walter baier in … Read more Vintage aluminium willys jeep cigarette case set with lighter, cigarette holder and accompanying ashtray trailer made by walter baier in germany (during the allied occupation around 1946)
this is a rare early model from the very first year of production (circa 1946)

the base plate in the photo contains two crucial features that prove this is an early, original post-war edition: the stamp "ges. Gesch.": this stands for gesetzlich geschützt (legally protected). Immediately after the second world war (when germany was occupied), walter baier used this traditional german patent marking on the first series. The absence of "made in western germany": on later models from the 1950s (when exports resumed and the federal republic of germany was officially established), an english-language designation of origin or the brand name webasto (the later name of baier's company) was stamped on the base as standard. The bare aluminum base with only this stamp is typical of the first manual production racks.

this type of product was built from leftover pieces of munitions and military wares by, predominantly by soldiers recently back from the front lines, now looking to take on a new form of employment. They are essentially what is known as "trench art", except, rather than being made by service men and women whilst off the front lines, these were made at the walter baier company factory.


the condition:
the jeep is in original found and good condition with minor tarnishing, has not been cleaned. Was found in an attick in a house clearance in bachte-maria-leerne, belgium. The 80 year old woman told us: my onkel brought this home in just after the wwii when he came home as a militair from germany.

beside the little normal wear, there are no missing parts and are properly functioning


the wheels are in authentic, original, good condition with the thick hard rubber tire. Including the rear spare wheel


the wheel core (rim) consists of flat, unmachined aluminium, which corresponds exactly to the early post-war production method in which remnants of military vehicles and ammunition were melted down.

door handles activate the lighting mechanism, good working condition
the lighter pops out of the bonnet when you turn either of the door handles this also ignites the petrol lighter. The roof lifts up to store cigarettes

materials and techniques: aluminum,rubber,steel,hand-crafted,polished

weight: 722 grams

measurements: 8 cm h, 7 cm w x 23.5 cm total long this piece has an attribution mark,
i am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less