Markings On Flintlock Tinder Lighter, c1750?
 

Most Tinder Lighters I have seen of this type have wooden handles, but this one has a metal one.

It is marked with what appears to be “DESCOS” and “LAYNEZ”. So far I’ve been unable to trace this mark. Do you recognize it?

All photos are Copyright (C) 2016 Dana K. Williams. All rights are reserved.

There was a famous dynasty of gunmakers with the name DECOS in France since the middle of the 17th century. All 18 of them have been working in St.Etienne and the last is mentioned in St.Etienne 1851.
corrado26

Thanks for the info corrado26.

I'll check again on-line. Maybe someone will post the information in Stockel.

The Neue Stockel isn't the right source, because there is no gunmaker DESCOS to be found. I found it in the French "Le Qui est Qui de l'arme en France de 1350 à 1970".
corrado26

Thanks so much corrado26!!!

Is there anyway I can get you to scan that at a little higher resolution?

Here is what I've been able to find at Google Books searching for "DESCOS Armurier". Too bad I don't speak French.

Histoire économique de la métallurgie de la Loire
By Louis-Joseph Gras

https://books.google.com/books?id=K4...murier&f=false

Descos aine, faricant d'armses 1829
Descos, ouvrier armurier 1890
(see photo)

***

Mémorial universel: journal du Cercle des arts

https://books.google.com/books?id=D6...murier&f=false

(see photo)

***

Bulletin des lois

https://books.google.com/books?id=p3...murier&f=false

Here my second attempt with the page of the dictionnary concerning les DESCOS with a higher solution. Hope you can read it now.

I think the DESCOS you have found are too late as the script deals with ignitionsystems for percussion arms: 1829 and 1890 are certainly the wrong, too late years and so the wrong DESCOS. The book I mentioned is by the way still on sale - two volumes with thousands of French Gunmakers.
corrado26

You are right about the dates but it seems the family was still making weapons in the area.

Thanks so much for the re-scan. The new image is much easier for me to read. :)

Here is another closeup of the mark.