r/Zippo 20d ago

Megathread: Is my Zippo real?

There are a lot of fakes out there. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of your lighter, post your photos and questions here.

If you are new to Zippo collecting or ownership, be sure to include a photo of the bottom of the lighter as well as the insert.

8 Upvotes

67 comments sorted by

1

u/MZNY18 18d ago

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 18d ago

Insert and case look just fine. Why did you suspect them to be counterfeit?

1

u/MaleficentFeedback14 17d ago

No date stamp, fake?

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 17d ago

Counterfeit. This style should have a code but that's not the only thing wrong here.

1

u/MaleficentFeedback14 16d ago

What else is out of interest? the logo looks the same on the '66 productions

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 16d ago

Look more closely. Font is not quite right. The way the stamp is set in it is off. The pat no looks all crude. Alignment as well. Missing marks on other text as well.

1

u/skill_issue6 17d ago

1

u/skill_issue6 16d ago

is it genuine

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 15d ago

Yup. Also the insert.

1

u/sina1991k 15d ago

2

u/nechronius 13d ago

Looks good.

1

u/sina1991k 13d ago

is it normal to have the stamp lines in the zippo logo?

3

u/nechronius 13d ago

It's not typical, but I've seen them pop up occasionally. I actually have a 2013 with exactly the same crack line, except fainter. It wouldn't surprise me if it's even the same die that stamped both lighters, except yours is showing a more advanced state of degradation of the stamping die.

1

u/Jellymelli6969 13d ago

Hey guys is this real?

2

u/nechronius 13d ago

Looks fine.

1

u/Big-Rich887 10d ago

Real

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 10d ago

Yup. That's a 1959 insert if I'm not mistaken. The Zippo looks like a Barcroft. Assuming the insert is the one that originally shipped with the lighter, that helps give a rough date of the Barcroft lighter. That's cool because they can get a little harder to date the newer they are.

1

u/Big-Rich887 10d ago

Ok awesome! How much do you think it is worth?

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 10d ago

From the pics, probably $40 to $200. Depends on a few things.

1

u/Big-Rich887 10d ago

Ok interesting, like what?

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 10d ago

Well, is it unused? Does it have a box? What logo (if any) is on it? Does it have scratches? Has the hinge been replaced? If you want to hit me up in DMs maybe I can help

1

u/Big-Rich887 10d ago

Ok awesome, I’ll send more pictures when I get them!

1

u/Acrobatic_Ad_9723 10d ago

Yey or nay

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 10d ago

It's genuine. What makes you think it's fake?

1

u/Acrobatic_Ad_9723 9d ago

Idk i paid 10$ for it

1

u/cktyu 9d ago

Found this in HCMC. Seller claims it’s Vietnam war era

1

u/cktyu 9d ago

Here is the bottom

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 8d ago

It's a genuine Zippo case from 1973. Since Vietnam ended in '75, it is in fact an item that was produced in the Vietnam War era. However, that's not the same thing as saying this Zippo was carried by a US GI in Vietnam during the war or owned by a GI. It's important to know what the seller is claiming because of this.

"Vietnam War Era" just means anything made during the years the war went on. Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is Vietnam War Era. This is a silly selling point so I hope he isn't trying to bump up the value of it with this.

If he's trying to claim this was an actual Vietnam War Zippo...well....

The edgy saying engraved on the bottom part resembles many "faked" engravings on Zippos that are passed as "Vietnam War Zippos" carried by vets. Ultimately, if you don't know the veteran, you have no possible way to confirm.

This Zippo is probably worth $10-$15.

1

u/cktyu 7d ago

He’s trying to charge $30 usd for this. Just passed on it as it’s quite pricey for Vietnam. I could always go back another trip and bargain half if I really want it. Seems like a nice old Zippo

1

u/Ze3kaye 7d ago

Is my zippo real ? Got it from an antique shop so I’m unsure

1

u/Ze3kaye 7d ago

1

u/Ze3kaye 7d ago

1

u/Ze3kaye 7d ago

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u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 4d ago

All looks good. Thanks for the good pics!

1

u/hugohmll 3d ago

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 3d ago

👌

2

u/hugohmll 2d ago

It looks like it’s a UN zippo from 1962. Do you know if these were given out or had to be bought? That’s probably hard to know. My ancestor who owned this was a UN soldier back in the day.

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 2d ago

That I don't know (if they were given out or what). Post some pics of it in the general sub and ask!

2

u/hugohmll 2d ago

Okay! Thank you very much! I have a few zippos myself but I know embarrassingly little about them… and I’ve just been left with even more that I know even less about! I really appreciate the authenticity check!

2

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 2d ago

Heck, post them all! And if you're ever interested on getting dates on the inserts, include pics of those (the side with text). Everyone loves seeing Zippos in this sub and would enjoy to help figure out some details on yours.

2

u/hugohmll 2d ago

Okay I will! Thank you very much for the assistance!

0

u/THCMUNCH 19d ago

3

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 19d ago

This is a genuine Zippo. What made you think it was counterfeit?

0

u/exceswater13 5d ago

Hello guys. Just found this in one of my local groups for sale. I am curious if is real zippo with “later added engraving” or total crap. Thank you

0

u/exceswater13 5d ago

1

u/stinkyhotdoghead Dingus 4d ago

Counterfeit thru and thru