|
Zippo has commemorated the people and events of the military with many collectors sets. What follows is a chronological listing of Zippo lighters reflecting military highlights. Other interesting military facts regarding W.W.II, Korea and Vietnam are at the end of the listing.
1986
The camouflage lighter was introduced. The design is surface imprinted on the matte green powder coat. It is available in regular and slim models. Many camouflage lighters are surface imprinted with logos.
1990
In support of our troops in the Persian Gulf, the Desert Shield lighter was released. The graphics featured a desert camouflage design on a "sand" colored matte lighter.
1991
Similar in design, the Desert Storm lighter followed the Desert Shield lighter when the U.S. invaded Iraq.
Civil War Series. This collection featured beautiful color illustrations of those courageous soldiers who fought for the Union and Confederate armies of the U.S. Civil War. Union Army: Militiaman, Infantryman, Cavalry Trooper, Petty Officer, on blue matte. Confederate Army: Cherokee Rifleman, Cavalry Trooper, Infantryman, Prison Guard, on gray matte.
1994 - Collectible of the Year
D-Day Commemorative Lighter: Zippo saluted the 50th anniversary of D-Day with its 1994 commemorative lighter. Its black crackle surface replicated the famous World War II finish, and the antique brass emblem was patterned after the sleeve patch worn by Allied troops. General Eisenhower's inspirational June 6, 1944 message to the troops is reprinted inside the lid of the round collectible tin.
Also introduced in 1994 was the Allied Heroes companion set which saluted these legendary war heroes: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Charles de Gaulle, Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery, and Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley.
1995
Zippo: A Remembrance, Volume I
Zippo memorializes the following turning points of World War II with volume one set of Zippo: A Remembrance: the heroism of British citizens who endured a merciless German assault during the Battle of Britain... a thin Allied line that halted the last German offensive of the war in the Battle of the Bulge... the poignant sight of U.S. Marines raising the Stars and Stripes over tiny Iwo Jima... and the U.S.S.
Missouri, where World War II officially ended.
Late 1996, early 1997
To honor the troops that served in the Korean War, Zippo created a collectors set of two high-polished brass lighters. Both lighters were decorated with emblems, one showing Korean troops in rain gear, the other a map of North and South Korea with the 38th parallel defined and labeled.
1997
Zippo: A Remembrance, Volume II
During World War II, the Zippo lighter became known as "the GI's Friend" and was treasured for both its reliable performance and as a reminder of home. To commemorate the people and events of World War II, Zippo created Volume II of "Zippo: A Remembrance" in 1997.
1998
Limited Edition Vietnam Collectors Set
In a moving tribute to the men and women who served in our country's most controversial conflict, Zippo presents the Vietnam Collectors Set. The names of thousands of Americans who died in the Vietnam War are etched in the somber black granite surface of The Wall, and reproduced on black matte Zippo windproof lighters. The two-lighter collector's edition is limited to only 5,000 sets worldwide.
Other interesting military facts:
- George G. Blaisdell was nicknamed "Mr. Zippo" by famous WW II correspondent Ernie Pyle.
- Ernie Pyle wrote: "The Zippo lighter is in great demand on the battlefield-it's the most coveted thing in the Army."
- During World War II, the Zippo lighter became known as "the GI's Friend" and was treasured for both its reliable performance and as a reminder of home.
- Due to shortages of brass and chrome in 1943, during World War II, cases were made of porous steel and painted with a black paint that baked to a black crackle finish. Zippo's entire production was distributed to Army exchanges and Naval ships' stores. W.W.II black crackle lighters were stamped "PATENT #203695". Other lighters produced 1937-1950 were stamped "PATENT 203695".
- Following the war in 1946, cases were drawn from nickel silver only. An indented can style bottom was incorporated.
- During the Korean War (1951), Zippo cases were manufactured from steel until late 1953 when they returned to the chrome plated brass.
- Zippo windproof lighters have been carried by GIs in every war from WW II to Desert Storm.
- Every U.S. Navy ship has had its own Zippo lighter, showing a picture of the ship, its name and number.
- 200,000 Zippos were used by Americans in Vietnam.
- Vietnam-era Zippo lighters are highly prized collectibles.
- Zippo lighters costarred in World War II
Movies.
- Many counterfeits are currently being manufactured in the Orient and sold on the streets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in Vietnam.
Back to Top
|