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About This Item
Very scarce vintage Coca-Cola L-1 figural miniature-can opener made in West Germany. This clever all-metal advertising piece conceals a retractable combination can piercer and bottle opener inside the can-shaped body. Pressing the button on the end releases the opener, and the retracting mechanism on this example operates smoothly.
History
Just For Openers catalogs this specific Coca-Cola variation as L-001-002, identifying it as the Coca-Cola Script / Diamond Can version of the L-1 retractable can piercer. The L-1 was made in West Germany and uses a push-button mechanism on the end of the miniature can to release the concealed metal opener.
The advertising design is particularly appropriate to the tool itself. Coca-Cola entered regular national can production around 1960, and in 1961 introduced a can design featuring the familiar contour Coca-Cola bottle outlined inside a large diamond. Those early cans existed during the transition from punch-top cans, which required a separate pointed “church key,” to pull-tab cans. This miniature advertising can solves that old problem in miniature: the can literally carries its own opener inside.
This opener reproduces that memorable Coca-Cola imagery in unusually detailed form. One side features the Coca-Cola script with the outline of a contour bottle visible inside the diamond, while the opposite side carries the large Coke name. The result is both a functional pocket opener and a tiny piece of Coca-Cola can advertising history.
Collector Detail
The metal body is stamped MADE IN W. GERMANY. The push-button releases the concealed opener smoothly, and the retractable mechanism is functioning properly. Coca-Cola L-1 examples are much more difficult to find than many of the beer-advertising versions of this opener and have long been recognized by opener collectors as a scarce variation.
Condition
Good vintage used condition with honest age and handling wear. The metal can body shows scratches, scuffs, surface wear, age discoloration, and wear to the printed advertising as pictured. The Coca-Cola, Coke, diamond, and bottle graphics remain clearly recognizable. Most importantly, the push-button and retractable opener mechanism operate smoothly. Please review all photos closely for the best description of cosmetic condition.
Included
Sale is for the Coca-Cola retractable opener pictured. No additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Packing & Shipping
Packed with care. I'm happy to combine shipping whenever possible. If you purchase multiple items the same day and overcharges shipping, I will refund the combined shipping difference after packing.
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