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How to Tell the Age of a Zippo Lighter

Zippo lighters have been made in the United States of America since 1933. Zippos became famous for their unconditional lifetime guarantee of, "It works or we fix it free." Zippo estimates that there are over 4 million collectors worldwide as of 2010. Although the basic design of the lighter has not changed dramatically over its 75-year history, each year had its own distinctive features. There were several different lighters manufactured every year, totaling thousands of different lighters over the history of the company. It is possible for collectors to date the lighters due to the sharp changes in different eras of the lighter's history.

Instructions

- 1
  Check the patent on the bottom of the lighter. The first lighters, made in the early 1930s, have the phrase "PAT. PENDING," because the patent was not granted until 1936. After this time, you will find the marking "PAT. 2032695." The placement of the patent number is important too. While the number was on the left side through 1957, it became centered on the models from 1958 to 1967.
- 2
  Search for any trademarking. The trademark logo "®" began appearing on the 1955 model. You can find it directly following the brand name "ZIPPO" as in "ZIPPO ®."
- 3
  Differentiate the letter "Z" in the word "Zippo." The letter "Z" changed a couple of different times in the company's history. After decades of a standard "Z," in mid-1969 the company started printing the "Z" with a curl or tail on its right side. In 1980 the "Z" and "i" connect together with a flame; this takes the place of the dot on the "i."
- 4
  Feel the shape and material of the lighter. Zippos had distinctive feels for various promotions. During World War II, Zippo concentrated their production on the war effort. They made their lighters out of steel for the soldiers. This was a very significant model of the lighter because so many of them were made during the war; this is the time when the lighters became famous. Zippo also made its "Slim" model in 1956, to appeal specifically to women.
- 5
  Add up the dots and slashes. Zippos used different symbols during different eras to establish their year. From 1955 to 1965, the Zippo used dating dots. The years 1966 to 1973 saw the use of vertical lines. Slashes were used from 1974 to1981; these were replaced by backslashes from 1982 till 1986. Roman numerals appeared between 1987 and 1999. Starting in 2000, Zippo simply began putting the date on the bottom of the lighter.

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