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TABLE LIGHTERS
" #10 Deluxe " Table Lighter
" One Step "
DRUNK/ REVELER
Metallique
Many factors go into designing different models.They need to look good, feel good in the hand, as well as be practical to use.
Zippo did some experimenting with different heights in its early years, and found that 4 1/2" was a perfect combination.
Zippo would make prototypes to be sure all of these factors are met before mass production.
This one is 3/16" shorter than the standard 4 1/2" production model. Therefore unique in comparison.
It has a very rare "Drunk" metallique that is proportionate to the case measuring 1" tall.
The pocket lighter version of the Drunk metallique was smaller, measuring 5/8", and suited the smaller case.
Some of the inserts had no Pat # stamp, and others did.
This is arguably a prototype.
There is also a One Step out there that measures the same as the 3rd & 4th model Barcrofts.
Rare 1954 GE Transformer Table Lighters
Both these came from the estate of a former GE executive.
This one was made with a EVANS tall model lighter.
I don't have any history on this lighter, but they make a great pair, when displayed together.
Both these GE's are made of cast brass.
1954 ZIPPO GE Transformer
This Lighter was made in 1954 based on the brass insert, and Pat Pend base stamp.
The ZIPPO case never had a hinge, and the insert never had a cam installed. These are very rare.
I don't know how many were made.
I know of 4 remaining.
There are 2 styles. One with the plaque shown here, and the other style has the same plaque as the gold lighter. (shown on the right)
In 1954, General Electric opened a factory to build medium transformers in Rome Georgia.
During the 1950's, several product lines related to transformers were moved to other locations around the country. This was the result of a vast reorganization and decentralization plan instituted by Ralph Cordiner, then the corporate head of the General Electric Company. As a consequence of this, the manufacture of capacitors was moved to Hudson Falls, New York; small distribution transformers were to be built in Hickory, North Carolina; and medium-sized power transformers were to be manufactured in Rome, Georgia.
Info courtesy of IEEE Global History Network
The Table lighter was first introduced in 1939. It was called the #10 Deluxe Table Lighter.
Its name was later changed to "Barcroft", the maiden name of George Blaisdell's wife.
This is the name given to this model of table lighter around 1954, and how we commonly know them today.
The original lighter was 4.5" tall and had a large, full sized insert.
It's base had only "One step" to it, and the insert had 14 holes in the chimney.
Very early examples had an 8 barrel hinge, made from 2 four barrel pocket lighter hinges.
These were soon replaced by a single 4 barrel hinge.
Production of the table lighter stopped in Oct 1941, but was made available again in 1947.
The 47-49 base now had "two Steps" on it. The height was reduced from 4 1/2" to 4 1/4".
The insert was still full sized, but the chimney has 16 holes.
In 1950-54 the design changed again, and the lighter became 1" shorter, @ 3 1/4" tall. It still has a full size insert.
Another change came in 1955 where the insert became the same insert used in the full sized pocket lighter.
"Moderne"
1960-66
Zippo made some additions to its table model line by introducing two new models.
"Moderne & "Corinthian"
This Moderne is from my collection, and comes complete with its original box, paperwork, display tag, & felt pouch.
There were only two models available in 1960, this one in chrome, and another in black enamel.
The following years 61-66, there were three finishes.
Black & Rhodium, Bright Rhodium, & Satin Rhodium.
The insert had pat #s 2517191 & 2940286
1959 Roseart wood table lighter and French marble set.
These are vintage Roseart table lighters
Made from from 1959-62.
The Roseart company was founded in 1957 by,
Philip M. Rose of Bradford Pa.
Mr. Rose was born in Bradford and became friends through business with George Blaisdell.
Mr. Blaisdell agreed, and allowed Philip to use zippo lighters as the finishing touch to Philip's handmade creations.
The set on the right was made from Imported French marble, and the one on the left was,
made from exotic wood.
Barcroft table lighters Models 1 through 4
Here are the various flint springs used from 1939 till the final models.
This photo shows the various inserts used from the 1st to 4th models, along with the corresponding flint springs.
This photo compares my 1939
to the 1947.
The 47 is 4 1/4" tall
Allison J35 Jet Engine ZIPPO Lighter
The Allison J35 first flew in the XP-84 in 1946, although the first Allison Production units didn’t appear until late 1947.
VERY RARE
This lighter was made in late 1947- 48 based on the 3 barrel hinge and brass case.
The ZIPPO insert is a standard nickel silver insert. The case of the ZIPPO was
specially made by ZIPPO for this jet engine table lighter.
There was never a lid attached to the hinge, I say this because there is no spot-weld mark on the lid portion of the hinge,
to indicate that it was ever attached. Also, the brass case was never plated.
The top part of the hinge has a metal extension attached to it that holds the lighter lid closed.
The lighters case is cast aluminum, then primed with zinc chromate primer.
It was then painted with "Hammer Paint" and is a real piece of art.
This is a very rare lighter, as this is the only one known with the Allison logo.
There are others without the original logo.
Four in the U.S.A , One in Australia, and one in China.
This one is not numbered, whereas most of the others are consecutively numbered.
This leads me to believe that this is one of the first made, or a prototype.
This specially made stand displays the lighter nicely.
It's finished in the same black crackle finish that was used on the WWII lighters.
Originals are high gloss black, but i prefer the crackle finish.
4th Model
Salesman sample Barcroft.
This lighter was made in 1958 based on the insert stamp.
Advertising lighters with the Zippo logo are very desirable .
4th Model
Leather covered Barcroft
I have only seen one leather covered barcroft in a photo, until I got this one. This lighter is unique in comparison to the other one, in that the lid was never covered. There is no evidence of it ever being there. The insert for this lighter dates it to around 1957, as it has a humped cam spring, but does have a solid flintwheel rivet.
I also have a salesman sample Barcroft, with the same unusual combination of rivet and spring used with the insert.
Mint 1957 Barcroft , complete with original box, paperwork, felt bag, and rare original protective sleeve.
1970 Salesman sample
This variation of Airstream Barcroft differs from the
more common version, in that there is no car pulling the trailer.
1941 letter with the announcement of pricing changes,
and discontinuing production of the table lighter.
Corinthian
1960-66
Lady Bradford
1949-54
1947- 49 2nd model #10 Deluxe
(Barcroft)
4 1/4" tall
These have a full sized insert
3rd Model Barcroft
1949-54 3 1/4" tall with a
Large/full size insert.
4th Model "Barcroft"
1954-79
In 1949 the new model table lighter was introduced and called "Lady Bradford"
It had no base attached to it.As seen in the 1949 ad.
The story goes that a jeweler, while showing the lighter to a customer, had it fall over and break through his glass display cabinet.
After this incident, the lighters were all recalled in order to be modified with a new base.
They were modified by drilling a hole in the base to accomodate a screw, securing the new base
to the original lighter.
Very few the original lighters, without a base,
were sold to the public.
Therefore they were never modified.
To find one without a base is very difficult.
Roseart Lafayette (short model)
Marble lighter and ashtray set.
This is a very early example of the Corinthian table lighter.
It differers from most, as the insert bears the 2517191 Patent #, as well as the
"Patent Pending" stamp.
The later ones have both 2517191 & 2940286 stamped on the insert.
The inserts for both Moderne and Corinthian were identicle and based on the inserts used for the slim model lighter.
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1957 GMC Trucks !
2nd Model, 1947-1949
3rd Model 1949-1954
