 | ||||||
1930s - 1940s
Flint bottle with bakelite cap.
It's difficult to date these ones, but because Bakelite was the plastic of the 30s, I have logically put this into the 1930s catagory.
The bottle is glass and the label is made of paper.
25 flints for 50c
Late 1940s
Flint bottle with metal cap.
This bottle of flints is made from plastic and the lable looks to be silkscreened on the bottle.
There no use of the R symbol which leads me to believe this was made before 1954,
50 flints for $1.00
This page shows various other ZIPPO products.
Flints, Wicks, Fuel containers
Belt buckles, Rulers, Knives, Money clips, Key Rings, etc.
Rare 1930s Dryco Flint Storage Tubes.
This is a display from what appears to be the 1930s.
These tubes were made to safely store spare flints inside the lighters cotton in order to protect them from fuel saturation.
They held 2 spare flints and were made of aluminum.
Package shows a late 1930's Ronson AMW, a Ronson Viceroy, a Ronson standard, & an aluminum lighter.
These tubes are RARE. I know of only 4 others,
Until I found this old store display.
DRYCO Custom Display Card.
Individual cards with single storage tube, are available for sale. $24.00 ea
1959 - 1964 salesman sample flint container
Zippo applied for a patent for this container on October 6, 1953, under Pat # 2878964.
That patent was granted Mar. 24, 1959.
The words ZIP-A-FLINT were dropped,
and just the logo remained.
Zippo sales people would have their names and contact info imprinted on these containers.
1953-1959
This one has the words ZIP-A-FLINT,
and was used until 1959. I think this one dates to 53-54 as the R symbol is still not used on this.
The pat # 2878964 was not used until it was granted in March, of 1959
according to Govt.Patent records.
Flints were sold at retail stores everywhere and packaging became part of the advertizing as it was easier to see it in a larger package.
they contained 6 flints
Early 60s through to the late 70s there was this longer container that held 12 flints.
It uses the same Pat # as the smaller version
This is a single asbestos wick, used
from the late 40s to the early 50s
This packet with a single wick was used from 1979 through to the early 80s. Using the single point flame from the 60s " 1 wick 10c"
Another pack from a display sign.
This one uses the two point flame from around 1983 and up. 1 wick 25c
I am looking for diferent variations of these, so , if you have any, Send me an Email
Late 1940s to early 50s Flint Pack. 4 for 10c
Late 1950s-70s Wick packet. Script Logo, 1 wick, 10c
Wick Packs
Zippo Fluid containers have had a number of changes over the years.
Here are some examples beginning from the 1930s
Late 40s - Early 50s
No price was added
Various cap color combinations can be found during this time period.
The type of script for the word ZIPPO was also different than the later tins.
The flame was placed on the bottom left at this time.
Prototype for the early 50s container.
4 oz tin 25c
1950s
The 25c price tag was added at this time.
Mid to late 60s
Paper wrapped appreciation, and seasonal fluid containers.
1967
This container was discontinued as a result of spout design issues
1972
40 Year Anniversary
Gift set and fluid tin.
Early- Mid 50s
New ZIPPO script was used.
It still has the flame on the bottom left, and now has the new price tag of 25c.
Mid - late 50s
The most significant changes were the position of the flame,now centered and the price was moved to the top right.
1950s gift and Christmas cans.
These were simple paper covers pasted over the black & silver cans.
Early 60s
Early 60s 10oz
Sometime during the early 1960s, The words,
" NEW FORMULA"
were used.
Capitol letters were used on the entire label.
During the mid 60s,
a different font was used to describe
" Lighter Fuel"
And the words "New Formula" was shortened to only one word.
"NEW"
This tin is from 1974
ZIPPO RULE
The rule was first introduced to the market in late 1960.
The two on top are both very rare salesman samples.
Below shows an example of how companies could use them to market their own products.
The Key Holder was first introduced in 1973.
Many companies would have thier logos engraved on these holders.
The Knife (with money clip)
was first marketed in 1971
The first ZIPPO Knife was introduced in 1964
Zippo had a wide variety of items.
Here are some examples of ,
Rulers, Money clips, Knives, Key rings
This style was introduced in 1982
WWII Zippo fluid bottles.
Zippo advertizing shows them to be used until the late 40s according to a 1946 Zippo ad.
It is likely these were used during WWII due to the shortage of metal.
Not just lighter fluid, but a great spot remover.
Two colors of glass were used. Brown or Clear.
From the 30s to early 40s , I believe the blue can is a prototype can.
The long thin spout was used till the early 40s,
the label remained the same, but the pour spout was re-designed around 1948 .
Displays from the 50s
The wood display dates from 1953-56.
The Black, felt lined case is from the late 50s to 60s.
Interestingly it uses the same design as the 1956 slim Dennison box, in that the lid folds under in order to display the lighters.
This one caught fire, and was in storage since the 60s.
Amazingly, all the original parts remained undamaged, with the exception of the glass parts' and pump diaphram.
These dispensers were used in local gas stations and country stores in the 1930s through to the 60s. The customer would bring in their lighter and insert 1cent into the machine and press the lever while holding the lighter under the tiny spiggot to get a fill-up. The fuel would travel up through a tube into the sight glass at the top, then out to the lighter.
All the chrome pieces were made from what appears to be bronze, then nickel plated,
the red finish is a special paint, called wrinkle paint.
I sent all the chrome parts, for re-chroming, and found the original glass parts and diaphram.
All parts have been bead blasted, painted, and reassembled.
1920s 30s Dayton FIL-UR-LITER
"Bellboy Jr." lighter fuel dispenser.
Modeled after the Dayton Model 500 gas pump.This lighter fuel dispenser stands 10 1/4" high.
These would be on gas station, country store, or tobacconist counter tops for customers to fill lighters. Made from solid brass.
1930s Van-Lite lighter fuel dispenser.
In 1976 The Zippo Magnifier was introduced.
1939 Zippo Ad
1948 Zippo fluid ads
Post War Fluid tin.
After the war, Zippo returned to metal fluid containers .
They used the same tin as used in the late 30s container,
but the pour spout was re-designed and became shorter..
SPECIAL NOTE: Please read. I reply to all emails.
Some of my Email replies end up in "SPAM" folders depending on your settings.
Check there if you do not see a reply within 24 hrs.
