Dating Regular

 

1932

Blaisdell produces first square-cornered windproof lighter with no diagonal lines on the corners. This model is 2-7/16 inches tall, 1/4 inch taller than the now standard Zippo lighter. The Insert is also approximately 1/4 inch taller.The Zippo have eight holes ,located on each side of the chimney and a three-barrel hinge outside of the case.

Diagonal lines are added to the 1932 " tall model",for the most part in 1933 , which is still 1/4 inch taller. Both the case and the insert are shortened during 1933.

1933
1934

During 1934 the 1/4 inch shorter units continue to be produced with the 3 barrel hinge plates still on the outside of the case. Blaisdell applies for the Zippo patent on May 17, 1934, after test marketing the product for two years.

Metallique specialty advertising begins with Kendall Oil's order of 500 lighters in 1935.

1935
1936

Two different models are produced.The first model has four-barrel hinge with the plates still located on the outside of the case. The second model has a four- barrel hinge as well, but the plates are moved to the inside of the case. The case is still the square-case variety. The patent #2032695 was issued March 3, 1936 , so lighters manufactured only late in 1936 had the patent.

1937

The piston- spring is changed into a humped-cam-spring.

1938

The brass drawn case with rounded corners awes the market. This model has a soldered clip inside the lid ( u-shaped-cam-stop). This style is only produced during 1938- 1939.

 

Production begins on the 1st model Barcroft table lighter. This model is only produced during 1939 and 1940.

1939
1940

The brass drawn case with no metal clips inside the lid makes its entrance. It has one piece extended from the hinge that supplants the metal clips. This variation with the flat bottom is only produced in 1940 and 1941. Lighters produced today are made the same way with the extended hinge.

1941

Toward the end of the year Zippo makes its first stell outer case, which retains the four-barrel hinge with a chromed brush finish. The insert is also made of steel in lieu of brass.

1942

Black crackle models made of steel with a four-barrel hinge are only produced this year. There are three different bottom stamps in 1942. The first is the one which is used allready 1941 , the second has the " date-code-error" , which  lost the 2 in the middle of the pat.number. The third one has the Zippo logo written taller than the other ones.

1943

Steel black crackles with a three barrel hinge are made from 1943 to 1945.

1944
1945
1946

Zippo fabricates cases made of nickel-silver alloy between 1946 and 1947. These new Zippo lighters featured a canned bottom and an overall rounded look , still seen on current models. The 1946 model has a case that is 1/32 of an inch  taller than the cases today. It has a three-barrel hinge ( the center barrel is longer than the sides) and a 14 hole chimney. The teeth of the flintwheel are horizontal. In Oktober 1946 Zippo restarted production of lighters with an improved flint wheel and cam. The case material of this late 1946 was still nickel silver , but now its chrome plated.

1947

The case is made of chrome plated nickel-silver, and it has the same size like models today.The insert has a 16 hole chimney and the flintwheel has slash teeth. The 2nd Model Barcroft table lighter and the "loop" model or " loss-proof" become coveted pieces.The ten millonth Zippo lighter is produced.

1948

The case is made of chrome plated brass.

1949

Late 1949 models have a five-barrel hinge in lieu of a three-barrel hinge.

1950

Zippo manufactures a " full cover " leather model from 1950 to 1957.

1951

During the Korean War , Zippo cases were fabricated of steel. Steel is employed untill late 1954 when Zippo returns to using chrome plated brass.

1952

A wrap-arround leather model is added to the Zippo line.

1953

The patent number is changed from 2032695 to 2517191 .

1954

Zippo begins production of the 4th Model Barcroft table lighter. This model is produced until 1979.

1955

In late 1955 a new Zippo logo appears. Zippo begins to use Date-Codes. Various combinations of dots and slashes are now stamped on the bottom of all lighters. These marks indicated the year the lighter was manufactured.

1956

Zippo starts production of slim lighters, including gold- and silver-filled models.

1957

The pat.pend. was removed from the bottom.

1958

Zippo begins production of the slim 14k gold lighter.

1959

The logo on the insert is changedfrom horizontal to vertical.

1960

Zippo begins production of both the Moderene and the Corinthian table models.

1961  
1962

The " Rule" is first manufactured.

1963  
1964

The flintwheel is now fixed with a solid rivet. The Pocket Knife with no money clip is first produced..

1965

The Golf Ball, as is used in the game of golf, makes its debut.

1966

Belt buckels are added to Zippo' s product line.

1967

The patent number is removed from the bottom of the case.

1968  
1969

Also the greenskeeper is added to the Zippo line.

1970  
1971

The money clip with knife is marketed.

1972  
1973

The Keyholder is first marketed.

1974

Venetian style cases are produced.

1975  
1976

Three additions were added to Zippo line: the pocket Magnifier, the Denim series , and the Bicentennial series.

1977

The Golden Tortoise, Golden Elegance , and Scrimshaw cases were added to the product line..

1978

Both the Ultralite model and the Letter Opener are first marketed.

1979

The Handilite makes his premiers.

1980

A new logo appears on the bottom. It is used for all Zippo products..

1981

Both the Pillbox and Cut-About are marketed.

1982  

The Date-Code is also stamped on the insert.

1983  

Lighters marked " Solid Brass " on the lid are introduced to the public.

1984  

 

1985

Zippo beginms manufacturing the 1937 Replicas.

1986

Zippo started to use a new Date-Code. On the left side the month ( A to L ) , and on the right side the year..

1987

 

1988  

The beginning of the 1932 Replica production.

1989  

 

1990

Made in USA is stamped on the bottom.

1991

 

1992

Silver plate wurde eingeführt.

1993

Zippo buys Case Cutlery and begins production of lighter/knife combination sets.

1994  
1995  
1996  
1997

1932 2nd Release

1998  

1933 1st Release (1998-1999)

1999  

 

2000

 

2001

1941 Replica

2002

Zippo " Armor Case " and MPL ( Multi-Purpose-Lighter ) are marketed.

2003    
2004    
2005  

In the early 2005 the ® moved from down to up.

 
2006    
2007

75th Anniversary Edition „Armor Case"

75th Anniversary Edition „Armor Case" Zippoclick

The production of the 1935 replica started 2007 in Japan, the "offical" start was in 2008.

2008    
2009    
2010