1929 RONSON De-Light U.S.S. McDermut DD-262! *RARE!* SPECIAL Order FINISH! DESTROYER DECOMMISIONING May 1929 Start Price USD 149.99 Current Price USD 149.99 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 24, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Northern California See more about '1929 RONSON De-Light U.S.S. McDermut DD-262! *RARE!*' Description wickdways Store 1929 RONSON De-Light U.S.S. McDermut DD-262! *RARE!*  Please check my sellers list for another extremely rare Ronson Standard De-Light that is similar to this one & more great vintage lighters.   This vintage 1929 Ronson Standard De-Light features a U.S. Navy Destroyer years before Zippo even began production. I will list two of these, both of which have been in my collection for many years. They deserve to be in either a Military/Navy Museum or in the collection of either an advanced Ronson or Military collector. Both have unusual finishes that were probably special order. This first one celebrates the decommissioning of the U.S. Navy Destroyer USS McDermut DD-262, in May 1929. This one, as well as the USS Sinclair DD-275 were both decommissioned that month & year. These were no doubt given aboard ship during the ceremony. Why more of them have not survived would suggest that either not many were produced, or that they have remained with the original owners families. This one has what is the first satin chrome "butler" finish I believe to have been used on a Ronson pocket lighter. Previous models were nickel or silver plated. Condition is excellent & would rate even higher if not for a spot of corrosion that is visible in my pictures. There is also a very small ding on the backside. It appears to have never been used & is in perfect working condition. It measures 2"H, 1-5/8W, 1/2"D.   California residents please add 8.25% sales tax. Paypal is the preferred payment option. Thanks & good luck!   Career   Ordered:   Laid down: 20 April 1918 Launched: 6 August 1918 Commissioned: 27 March 1919 Decommissioned: 22 May 1929 Fate: sold, 25 February 1932 Struck: 11 November 1931 General Characteristics Displacement: 1,190 tons Length: 314 feet 5 inches (95.83 m) Beam: 31 feet 8 inches (9.65 m) Draught: 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) Propulsion: geared turbines Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h) Complement: 120 officers and enlisted Armament: 4 x 4" (102 mm), 2 x 3" (76 mm), 12 x 21" (533 mm) tt. The first USS McDermut (DD-262) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for David McDermut. McDermut was laid down 20 April 1918 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Squantum, Massachusetts; launched 6 August 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Eugene G. Grace; and commissioned 27 March 1919, Commander Chester L. Hand in command. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, McDermut departed Boston, Massachusetts 28 May for Brest, France. She returned to the east coast 24 July only to sail for the west coast in the fall, arriving at San Diego, California the day before Christmas. During the next 8 and a half years, with few exceptions, she operated in the eastern Pacific, steaming along the coast from Panama to Canada, and among the Hawaiian Islands. In 1924 and 1927 she transited the Panama Canal for abbreviated duties in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and in 1925 took part in a good will visit to Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand. On 22 March 1927 McDermut, returning from a cruise to Panama, arrived at the San Diego Destroyer Base, where she decommissioned 22 May 1929. Struck from the Naval Register 11 November 1931, she was scrapped and sold, 25 February 1932, in accordance with the terms of the London Treaty for Naval Disarmament.   Certain images and/or photos used in this template are the copyrighted property of JupiterImages and are being used with permission under license. Place a Bid!