Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
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.
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."
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.