How to Spot a Vintage Zippo Lighter
Zippo, the classic American lighter, has been in production since 1933. Variations in design and a unique system of manufacturer's marks make it easy to judge the age of your vintage Zippo lighter.
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Instructions
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Look for distinctive features. The earliest lighters had sharp corners, with separate top and bottom panels, soldered in place. Zippo attached the original hinges to the outside of the case and later moved them to the inside. Some early models feature diagonal stripes on the top and bottom corners. From 1943 to 1945, all production was dedicated to the military and available only through a PX. Created from steel rather than brass these lighters bear a distinctive black crackle finish.
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Check for the word Zippo on the bottom of the case. There have been three logo styles over the years. Through the mid-1950s, Zippo used thin, block letters. They used slanted script until 1979. Later years feature lower case lettering with a flame on top of the letter "i."
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Study the markings on the bottom of the lighter. Beginning in 1957, Zippo stamped a date code on the bottom of each lighter, enabling you to determine the exact year that they made each lighter. Lighters from earlier years carry clues such as the patent numbers and the words Patent or Patent Pending, which help approximate the date. See the Resources for guides to these markings.
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Tips & Warnings
Always check for the Zippo stamp on the bottom of the case, and the trademark on the lighter insert.
Beware of imitations, especially those bearing Viet Nam era insignias.
Resources
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Comments
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would like to find out age of zippo ltr PAT. 2032695
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I'm also a life long zippo lighter user. last month a ventage lighter sold for$ 11,700, and in japan date unknown a zippo origanal year of production sold for 31,000 & some change.
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Aidkit
Aug 29, 2009
Very good information for the aspiring Zippo Lighter collector. -
bmorgan1
Jan 20, 2009
I have 2 Zippos; first is one of originals, a brass tubular form often called a trench lighter with a slide down outer with a mechanism that lifts off the little brass cap. It has a patent on it that when researched is 1870. The 2nd is one I didn't see on the site either, it is brushed chrome, hinge on outside, the name Zippo does not have the flame over the i. My father had been in trucking business, it has a picture of a semi truck in red/black/white and the name Nestor Bros., Inc. What can anyone tell me?
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bmorgan1
Jan 20, 2009
I have 2 Zippos; first is one of originals, a brass tubular form often called a trench lighter with a slide down outer with a mechanism that lifts off the little brass cap. It has a patent on it that when researched is 1870. The 2nd is one I didn't see on the site either, it is brushed chrome, hinge on outside, the name Zippo does not have the flame over the i. My father had been in trucking business, it has a picture of a semi truck in red/black/white and the name Nestor Bros., Inc. What can anyone tell me?
