Treasure Trove Auctions
Live Auction

Day 2: Steel & Fire: WW2, Axis & Allied Militaria, and Military History

Sun, Mar 1, 2026 11:00AM EST
  2026-03-01 11:00:00 2026-03-01 11:00:00 America/New_York Treasure Trove Treasure Trove : Day 2: Steel & Fire: WW2, Axis & Allied Militaria, and Military History https://live.treasuretroveauctions.com/auctions/treasure-trove/day-2-steel-fire-ww2-axis-allied-militaria-and-military-history-21684
Day Two of Treasure Trove’s premier Militaria auction focuses on World War II and the modern era of warfare. This session presents an exceptional selection of WWII and post-war artifacts, including helmets, uniforms, daggers, medals, insignia, documents, field gear, and historically significant military relics. For collectors seeking authenticity, rarity, and direct connections to 20th-century conflict, Day Two offers some of the most compelling modern militaria ever assembled by Treasure Trove.
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Lot 605

WW2 USS Carbonero (SS-337) Penguin Lighter – U.S. Navy Submarine Relic

Estimate: $200 - $350
Starting Bid
$25

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
This compelling piece of WWII naval memorabilia is an original Penguin-manufactured cigarette lighter bearing the enameled crest of the USS Carbonero (SS-337), a Balao-class U.S. Navy submarine. Japanese-made and pocket-sized, the lighter features an applied enamel insignia depicting the Carbonero's unit crest, showing honest wear and surface scratching consistent with wartime or early postwar use. The lighter requires a flint and fuel to operate and is offered in unaltered condition.

USS Carbonero was launched in October 1944 and commissioned on 7 February 1945. During World War II, she conducted two war patrols in the summer of 1945, sinking six Japanese merchant vessels off the Malay Peninsula. Her service continued well beyond the war: she participated in Operation Dominic during nuclear testing in 1962, served during the Vietnam War as a rescue submarine, and was ultimately sunk as a target ship off Hawaii in 1975. Personalized lighters such as this were commonly carried by submariners as keepsakes, morale items, and souvenirs of service.

Submarine-attributed WWII lighters are highly collectible, particularly those tied to named boats with documented combat histories. This USS Carbonero lighter offers a tangible connection to U.S. Navy undersea warfare across multiple conflicts and stands as a deeply personal relic of naval service. A superb addition for collectors of WWII naval memorabilia, submarine history, or personalized service artifacts.

★ ★ ★
Good – Noticeable wear from age and use but remains structurally sound. Considered average condition for most collectibles and memorabilia. Minor imperfections or signs of handling may be present but do not detract from the overall integrity of the item.


Condition assessed using Treasure Trove Auctions’ proprietary grading scale. While we strive for accuracy, all ratings are subjective and based on our best evaluation as determined by a dedicated team of researchers, from expert appraisers to knowledgeable historians and veteran collectors. Full grading details can be found on our Authentication page for reference. For a more in-depth condition report or additional images, please contact us and we will be more than happy to oblige.

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