The History of Zippo Lighter Dating
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Does it wear a metallique? Date codes for slim line Zippo lighters. Not Made Yet 1936 ZIPPO MFG.
The best source of complete information on Zippo lighter dating is David's book and this book is a must for any serious collector. Not Made Yet Some 1936-40 types have flat bottoms, while other 1938-41 variants have both corners that are rounded and bottoms that are slightly curved outward. Set includes a companion Zippo license plate key tag.
Vintage Cigarette Lighters - Not Made Yet Some 1942 models have the 203695 patent number in lieu of the 203 2695 patent number. This number was stamped in error, should have been Patent 2032695 c.
That was more than 400 million Zippo lighters ago. Blaisdell would be amazed to One night in 1933 above a garage in Bradford, Pennsylvania, George G. Zippo introduced its own lighter collectors' club, Zippo Click, in 2002, logging over 8000 members in the first three years. Zippo Click provides an opportunity for serious and casual collectors alike to share their interest in Zippo lighters. For many, collecting Zippo lighters has become a hobby, and for some, it has even become a business. In light of the ever-growing international interest in the Zippo windproof lighter, we are pleased to present this guide as an introduction to the novice lighter collector. This is a place to start. It is not meant to be a complete guide to Zippo lighter identification or collecting. Let this also be a word of caution. The collectibles market is extremely volatile and any given piece is worth only whatever someone else wants to pay to begin or complete a collection. Collecting Zippo lighters is about fun, about history, about people. Zippo Manufacturing Company makes no claim as to how much a single lighter, however old or in whatever condition, is worth. Several books have been published about Zippo lighters and lighter collecting. For a current list, visit zippo. For the latest information about Zippo lighter collecting, visit zippoclick. The 15,000 square-foot center houses northern Pennsylvania's most visited museum, the world famous Zippo Repair Clinic, and a retail store containing the most complete line of Zippo and Case products in the world. Call the visitors' information line at 888 GGB-1932, or visit zippo. The current Zippo Car, a replica of the 1947 original, was made in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ippo product mobile. Does it wear a metallique? Is it a What does condition mean? Condition means everything in lighter collecting with the possible exception of sentiment. To some collectors, it means that the lighter is as pristine as the day it was made. The chrome is in top shape. The lighter has all original parts. It has never been repaired. If painted or enameled, the colors are not chipped or scratched. The cam Many counterfeit lighters look very much like the real thing. This is especially true of lighters depicting the designs and sentiments of the Vietnam War era. This book will help you determine that. In 2002, Zippo Manufacturing Company was granted trademark protection for the shape of the world famous Zippo windproof lighter. Zippo is taking aggressive measures to confront this problem. As interest in manufacture of counterfeit spring is strong. And finally, does the Zippo windproof lighter still have its original packaging? Original boxes, labels, and printed inserts add considerably to the collectibility of the lighter. Determining the date of a Zippo lighter is fun and easy. Because Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell offered a lifetime guarantee, the bottom of each Zippo lighter made since the mid-1950s was encoded with a series of markings so he could identify which run of lighters was being returned for repairs. What began as a quality- control tool for Mr. Blaisdell has become a collector's dream and a way to precisely date most Zippo lighters. Over the years, the date code format has been modified, most recently in 2001. We've included a key to the code on the next pages. Myth - The codes on the bottom indicate the quality of the lighter. For date codes including Roman numerals, the higher the Roman numeral, the higher the quality. Fact - The codes on the bottom stamp are date codes indicating when the lighter was manufactured. Myth - Lighters are manufactured by prisoners. The Roman Numerals at the bottom of the lighter indicate the length of prison sentence. Myth - Lighters are manufactured by prisoners. Fact - Lighters are manufactured in Bradford, PA by employees who are paid for their service to the company. As with most collectibles, the date of manufacture of a Zippo lighter often affects its value. Valuable information on the bottom of every Zippo lighter can help you determine its date of manufacture. Most lighters fabricated between 1933 and 1957 can be identified by style and model and the patent or patent-pending marks. Starting in the mid 50s, date codes were stamped on the bottom. The original purpose was for quality control. The date codes have since become an invaluable tool for Zippo collectors. There have been three major changes, as shown in inset. From 1933 to the mid 50s the word Zippo was stamped in block letters. The Zippo script logo was developed in the late 40s and was phased-in on the lighter bottom stamp around 1955. In the late ZOs the logo was redesigned. It was incorporated into the bottom stamp in 1980. Slim Lighter Identification Codes Slim lighters were first introduced in 1956, with a flat bottom and no date code. The first markings were added in 195Z and overlapped into 1958. From 195Z-1965 the code configuration on the slim lighters differed from the regular lighters. From 1966 on, the configuration has been the same. This number was stamped in error, should have been Patent 2032695 c. Beginning in 2001, the Roman numerals indicating the year were replaced with numbers corresponding to the last digits of the year of manufacture. For more collecting information, consult one of several books about Zippo lighters or visit zippoclick. The classic 1930s Varga Girl look recalled Zippo's first national advertisement in 1937. Companion set: four-lighter Allied Heroes. The four lighters, when put together, make up a large canvas, a kind of puzzle. Companion lighter: Jaguar and Cub at Turtle Falls. These pinup girls are reminiscent of Zippo's early national advertisements. Single lighter is Joan, Pinup of the Year; companion set is the Four Seasons. Set includes a companion Zippo license plate key tag. One World , One Future represented two Zippo firsts: the use of TVD titanium coating and also the first use of computer engraving on a Collectible of the Year. Hollywood's Leading Light saluted Zippo with its own Hollywood star on a new gold dust finish. Carried to work, to important events, even into battle, Zippo lighters are part of our lives and our history. Every Zippo lighter has a story - funny, poignant, even heroic - whenever or wherever a Zippo lighter clicks open, a conversation starts. Some of those stories are recorded in the booklet that accompanied this collectible. Prehistoric man discovered fire, but Zippo has perfected it. The colors were airbrushed on the lighter one at a time, after the surface was engraved at. The classic series was illustrated with eight icons: the mallard, the pheasant, the geese, the trout, the horse, the English setter, the lily pond and the sloop or sailboat. Individual clients and organizations used this engraved and paint-on-paint process for their logos and military or fraternal insignias. Metalliques are metal lace, handcrafted slices of chrome-plated brass, razor- thin at five one-thousandths of an inch. Metallique production peaked in the late 1930s. From the mid - 1930s to the early 1940s, customers could send in any lighter and have any available metallique - including metallique initials - applied to their lighters, thus making exact dating of some metalliques difficult. Some of the most famous and familiar metalliques include Kendall Oil, the two views of the Reveler, the Scotty dog, and the 1939 World's Fair. An attempt to reintroduce Zippo lighters with the distinctive look of the metallique as a part of our 65th Anniversary celebration was unsuccessful. Fact - Zippo did manufacture lighters with a leather wrap. It was a way to give a new look to our product. A slightly shorter 10 was introduced in 1947 as the Deluxe All- Purpose Table Lighter, and in 1950 it was shortened again, to 3. In 1953, the 10 began to utilize the same inside unit as a Zippo pocket lighter, and in 1954, the 10 was renamed the Barcroft. The Barcroft was produced until 1979. Lady Bradford The elegantly curved Lady Bradford, introduced in 1949, is the first table lighter initially produced with and without a base. The 1949 model had a large inside unit and no base, both features that were changed in the 1950 model. Production of the Lady Bradford was discontinued in 1951. The stylish Lady Bradford was a recurrent prop on the set of the popular TV sitcom, I Love Lucy. Moderne and Corinthian In I960, Zippo introduced the Moderne, a cylinder shaped table lighter and the Corinthian, an urn shaped table lighter. The Moderne was available in three different finishes: black and rhodium, satin finish rhodium, and bright finish rhodium. The Corinthian was also available in three finishes: turquoise and rhodium, bright finish rhodium, and pearlescent rhodium. Both the Moderne and Corinthian were discontinued in 1966. Handilite Introduced in 1979, Zippo combined the unique styling of a traditional windproof pocket lighter with an attachable pedestal base to create the Handilite table lighter. Lady Barbara Introduced in 1997 as part of the 65th Anniversary accessories collection, the Lady Barbara was added to the Zippo line in 1998. The pewter base nested an antique silver plate lighter, which could be easily lifted out for use or refilling. Zippo and World War II No other event in history increased the popularity of Zippo lighters more than World War II. From 1943 through the end of WWII, Zippo's entire production was allocated to the armed forces. The company archives are filled with letters detailing the services a Zippo lighter was called to perform: heating rations in a helmet, lighting campfires, sparking fuses for explosives, hammering nails and even signaling to fellow soldiers with the famous Zippo click. On several occasions, a Zippo lighter in a shirt or pants pocket even saved a life by deflecting bullets. There is truly nothing the average soldier would rather have. Today collectors refer to these rare models as black crackle lighters. As part of our D-Day 50th Anniversary initiative, Zippo launched an international FYI: World War II Zippo lighters with the black crackl finish, distributed only to the PXs for the men and women in the service, mistakenly were stamped with patent number 203695. The correct number should have been 2032695. Information from several sources led to Walter D. Nadler of Rahway, NJ, who landed on Normandy June 6, 1944, with the fighting 4th Division of the U. Unfortunately, Nadler had passed away in 1990. War Commemoratives Starting in 1990, Zippo created gift sets commemorating significant military events that shaped the history of the United States. Navy ship has been commemorated on a Zippo lighter. Collector sets honoring the U. Rolling off the production line during a run of chrome Armor lighters, the commemorative lighter was stamped with the authentic Armor bottom stamp, certifying the case to be 1. A unique dimensionally deep carved logo is displayed on the front of the lighter and the date and time of production were engraved as a final production step. A mood indigo version, laser engraved with the employee 400 millionth lighter design, was sold at retail worldwide. The Zippo lighter has a list of credits that could make even the most prolific performer envious. Some 70 years after its conception, Zippo has had a supporting role in over 1200 movies, including many Oscar award winners. Look for Zippo lighters in Emmy-winning televisions shows, Tony- winning stage productions, and even computer games and music videos. With its great screen presence and reliable performance, a Zippo lighter always hit its mark. See the updated list of credits on zippo. Blaisdell on Zippo's 70th Anniversary, owners Sarah Dorn and George Duke commissioned 300 exquisite solid gold Zippo Signet Lighters. FYls The concept of the signet ring dates back to the 1700s when individuals used signet rings to make wax imprints to seal documents. Since the 1940s, nine of the Zippo signet rings were commissioned by George G. Blaisdell and given to his direct descendants. The Signet Lighter was produced from 18-karat gold to the same specifications as the 1941 model, easily recognized by several distinguishing characteristics. The 1941 case has flat planes with sharper, less rounded edges where the front and back surfaces meet the sides, and the lid and bottom are joined with a four-barrel hinge. Each of the 300 lighters was individually numbered and engraved by Zippo's vintage pantograph engraving process. Engraving above and below the four barrel hinge identifies the lighter model GGB 1941 and year of issue 2002. The exclusive stamp on the bottom of the lighter attests that the lighter is the GGB 1941 model. After the 300th lighter was struck, the die for the stamp was rendered inoperable. A Certificate of Authenticity, hand- signed by Sarah Dorn and George Duke, is inlaid into the bottom of each handcrafted cherry wood box. The Z-Series was devised to make available to collectors and consumers a limited number of pre-production and pilot run lighters crafted from innovative materials or in the experimental stages of development. These inaugural prototype lighters are made only once. Once the material, processes, and production method have been refined, the lighter either becomes a production run item with the standard bottom stamping, or the decision is made not to put the lighter into production. An exclusive Z-Series bottom stamp authenticates each pre-production prototype. Laser marking on the open side of the lighter identifies the region of distribution: ZC for Zippo Click members, A for the Americas, E for European markets, or AP for Asia and Pacific Rim region. Each Z-Series lighter is packaged in an acrylic self-display dome with a numbered Scroll of Authenticity. In 2003 Zippo introduced the Copper Project, the first lighter in the Z-Series. Approximately 20,000 Copper Project lighters were manufactured and allocated for worldwide distribution. The 2002 closing of the Zippo Canada factory, located in Niagara Falls Ontario, was commemorated with a final run limited edition windproof lighter. Limited to only 25,000 pieces worldwide, the individually numbered silver-plated lighter signified the end of an era. The final imprint of the Zippo Canada bottom stamp, along with the included Certificate of Authenticity, confirm the edition as the final production lighter of Zippo Canada. The end of production at the Niagara Falls factory came 53 years after the 1949 Zippo Canada opening. The factory was the only place other than Bradford, PA where Zippo lighters were ever produced. Since 198C the bottom stamp on Canadian lighters contained the same month and year code as the U. The bottom stamp assures the authenticity of every Zippo lighter. In 2003, Zippo began lasering the powder coating off all matte lighters to reveal the bottom stamp and date code information. One of two 3-dimensional sculptures created from red and white Zippo lighters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Zippo Canada. One was presented to Zippo Canada associates during the 1999 National Zippo Day celebration in Bradford. General Information We recommend the use of only genuine Zippo fluid and flints for optimal performance of your windproof lighter, as they are specially formulated for use in our products. Lighter sparks but fails to light Zippo lighters are shipped empty of fuel. Be sure lighter is filled with fuel before attempting to ignite. In addition, make sure the wick is wound around the cotton packing, which is located on the inside of the lighter mechanism. Jammed mechanism Check to see if the flint is visible under the flint wheel. If so, try using a very thin piece of metal and insert it under the wheel - see if that will loosen it. To unplug a jammed flint tube, remove the flint spring and then try sliding an unfolded paper clip or a very small drill bit down the flint tube and wiggling it around. Turn the lighting mechanism right side up and tap it firmly on a hard, protected surface to remove loosened material. Removing the insert Hold open lighter case by the hinge and opposing edges. Using the opposite hand, pull the lighter insert straight up from the case. Fueling instructions Lift felt pad to reveal the packing material in the fuel chamber. Saturate the packing with Zippo lighter fluid. Fill slowly and do not overfill. Replace the insert back into the case. Wipe lighter and hands dry and be sure fuel can is closed and there is no spilled fuel in the vicinity before igniting lighter. This is a flammable fluid. Flint replacement Remove insert. Unscrew the flint spring from the bottom of the lighter insert, taking care to hold spring and screw firmly when screw is released. Remove screw and attached spring. Remove remaining flint from tube. Place new flint in tube and replace spring and screw. Tighten screw completely, so the lighter will close correctly. If wheel binds after new flint is installed, turn the wheel backward a few times. Wick trimming When the wick becomes black from carbon, pull it up with pliers until the clean wick appears. Cut the wick even with the top of the chimney, then straighten wick in chimney. Wick replacement Remove insert. Unscrew the flint spring, taking care to hold spring and screw firmly when screw is released. Remove felt pad and set aside. Using tweezers, remove all packing from fuel chamber. Insert a new wick downward through chimney, pulling through with tweezers. Replace packing in small pieces, interweaving the wick between the packing. Replace felt pad, flint and flint spring and screw. Tighten screw completely, so the lighter will close correctly. Cut the wick even with the top of the chimney, then straighten wick in chimney. Cotton replacement Ordinary cotton balls can be used to re-pack the inside unit of your lighter. You will need five for a regular size lighter and four for a slim size lighter. Remove the lighter insert from the case. Unscrew the flint spring, taking care to hold spring and screw firmly when screw is released. Remove felt pad and set aside. Using tweezers, remove all packing from fuel chamber. Replace packing in small pieces, interweaving the wick between the packing. Replace felt pad, flint and flint spring and screw. Tighten screw completely, so the lighter will close correctly. Care instructions Depending on the finish, your Zippo windproof lighter might require special care to keep it looking new. Refer to the care instructions included with every Zippo lighter for handling and cleaning of the finish. Remember, the finish is not covered by our lifetime guarantee. FYI: An outside hinge left characterizes early Zippo lighters. It was soon moved to the inside right to make repairs easier. TIP: Keep extra flints stored under felt pad. We Guarantee It If your Zippo lighter needs to be fixed, the case will be repaired and a new insert the inside lighting mechanism will be fitted into the lighter case. The finish of the lighter is not guaranteed. Any Zippo lighter, when returned to our factory, will be put in first- class mechanical condition free of charge, for we have yet to charge a cent for the repair of a Zippo lighter, regardless of age or condition. The finish, however, is not guaranteed. This guarantee gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary state to state. Other Zippo products carry their own specific warranties. Zippo Manufacturing Company f I 33 Barbour Street t t Bradford, PA 16701 U. To preserve the collectibility of your vintage Zippo windproof lighter, your original insert will be returned to you in the same condition as received. How to send them in We suggest you send your lighter via an insured trackable method. For safety, please remove the flint from the lighter and allow the fuel to evaporate for two to three days before mailing. Your lighter will be returned at our expense. Since 2002, more than 8,000 Zippo enthusiasts have chosen Zippo Click Collectors Club as their gateway to the worldwide community of people who buy, sell, trade, collect, and talk Zippo. FYI: Zippo Click is one of nearly two dozen lighter collector clubs worldwide. For a complete listing and contact information of U.
Zippo Instructional: Lighter Date Codes
Sincere Bradford The elegantly curved Lady Bradford, introduced in 1949, is the first table lighter initially produced with and without a base. These codes provided him with the date of manufacture, should a defect be found, allowing him to maintain records of repairs. The only time we collect information dating zippo lighters code if you are submitting something. Zippo debuts 80th anniversary lighters in 2012 Enter the online sweepstakes Jan. The 1937 replica series introduced in in 1985 were the first lighters to carry the Roman Numerals and 1985 lighters are stamped with I, but no date letter. Age is one factor used to piece the value of a Zippo lighter. We've included a key to the code on the next pages. It is not meant to be a complete guide to Zippo lighter identification or collecting. Even prior to the coding system we can go some way to identifying the approximate zip of manufacture, as the stamping on the bottom has changed slightly over the years. All early lighters had either a flat 1933-1941 or a round 1942-1946 bottom. Below is a complete chart of the Zippo date codes. The 2002 closing of the Zippo Canada factory, located in Zip Falls Ontario, was commemorated with a final run limited edition windproof lighter.