IMCO G55R Chrome Pipe Ligther

🔥 IMCO: Tradition and Ingenuity in Lighters Since 1907

Origins of the Brand

Founded in Vienna, Austria, in 1907 by Julius Franz Meister, IMCO began as a brass button factory. After World War I, due to material shortages, Meister famously repurposed spent bullet casings to create rudimentary lighters—laying the groundwork for a brand that would become synonymous with reliability and innovation.

IMCO’s first patented lighter was released between 1918 and 1920, making it one of the earliest automatic lighter manufacturers in the world. Throughout the 20th century, the brand stayed true to its core philosophy: to create functional, durable, affordable, and easily repairable lighters.

International Success and Development

Over the decades, IMCO expanded its presence across Europe, Asia, and Latin America with iconic models such as the Triplex Super 6700 and Junior 6600. Their simple yet clever mechanical design appealed to both cigarette smokers and pipe users.

In the 1970s and 1980s, IMCO introduced butane models, including those specifically designed for pipe smokers—like the now-classic G77 and its more compact sibling, the G55.

Production in Austria ceased in 2012, but the brand was later acquired by an Asian company, which reissued some of IMCO’s most popular models under similar mechanical standards.

🔧 Iconic Pipe Models: G77 and G55

IMCO G77 – The Pipe Lighter Classic

The G77 is one of the most beloved IMCO lighters among pipe smokers and collectors. Designed with a side-angled flame, it allows for easy bowl lighting without burning the fingers. Its metallic, lightweight body carries the rugged simplicity of a field tool with refined ergonomic touches.

Key features:

• Adjustable, angled (~45°) flame

• Flint-based ignition

• Butane refillable

• Durable, easy to maintain

Although long out of production, the G77 remains highly sought after in the secondhand market, especially in Austria, Germany, and Japan.

IMCO G55 – The Compact Sibling

Often considered the smaller brother of the G77, the G55 offers a more compact and simplified design, yet retains the angled flame and flint ignition. Its reduced size makes it an ideal everyday carry for pipe smokers who prefer portability without sacrificing function.

Though less iconic than the G77, the G55 gained popularity among casual smokers and as a dependable backup lighter. Like the G77, it was discontinued after the closure of IMCO’s Austrian factory.