Show your Military Lighters

OK, let's see those lighters with military themes or connections! Although this is posted in the US section, lighters from other countries are welcome, too. (Mods, this is my first thread, so please let me know if I've 'got it right' or not. Thanks!)

Here's one to start things off, a WWII "Black Crackle Finish" Zippo:

" />

Here's the 'back story' on that lighter:

Beginning in 1939, World War II had a profound effect on Zippo. Upon America’s entry into the war, Zippo ceased production of lighters for consumer markets and dedicated all manufacturing and sales to the U.S. military.

However, all the grade one steel and brass was needed for the machinery of war, so Zippo Company had to use what was available, a secondary grade of steel for their production, instead. As for chrome or nickel: it was impossible to obtain to use for plating the steel cases. By early 1942 Zippo lighters made with this secondary quality steel started to corrode from humidity.

Born out of necessity in order to keep high quality standards, the cases were coated with a heavy black paint and baked for curing what resulted in a crinkly surface stucture, later on know as "black crackle finish", circa mid-1942.

The fact that millions of American military personnel carried the Zippo lighter into battle was a significant catalyst in establishing Zippo as an icon of America throughout the world. Supplying the military market resulted in full production for the plant. This enabled Zippo to be strong financially and made it a viable company.

(By the way, as an aside, date codes weren't stamped on the bottom of Zippo cases until the mid-1950's.)

Regards,
Cobra 6 Actual

Here's another:

" />

And one for our submariners:

" />

Well I'm not a smoker but I like those zippos!

mylle wrote:Well I'm not a smoker but I like those zippos!

Thanks, Alex! I smoke an occasional cigar, but the military lighters collection just sort of 'took off.' Here's another:

" />

Hum, perhaps I'm the only military lighter collector on here. I'll post one or two more and see what happens.

" />

And one more:

" />

Must be just me that's 'into' lighters. Here's another one:

[img][/img]

South Vietnamese

" />

I´m not a collector of Zippos but your collection is very nice Thank you for sharing.

Thanks very much, Metal73!  Here's another (this is for the French Fusiliers Marines School.)

" />

Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ranger unit:

" />

Nice ones, btw do you still use them for time to time or are they just for looking?

mylle wrote:Nice ones, btw do you still use them for time to time or are they just for looking?

Thanks! Some I use, Alex. That old WWII one in the first post though, that one is now a 'shelf queen.' Here's one from Operation Enduring Freedom:

" />

Here's a cool IFOR one:" />

Here's some of mine. WW2 crinkle finish in black and OD green. These are made by Windy. I've got 3 black ones and 2 OD. I've got one in Navy gray also, but don't have a picture of it.

" />" />

Charlie C0, 501st Inf. This one was made by Vulcan

[img][/img][img][/img]

One from Da Nang 65-66. made by Zenith

[img][/img][img][/img]

Another from Da Nang 65-66. This one made by Noble

[img][/img][img][/img]

One fron Phan Rang 66-67

[img][/img][img][/img]

Zippo 7 point from a SEAL. He was a high School friend's uncle.

[img][/img][img][/img]

USS Richard E Byrde Zippo

[img][/img][img][/img]

USS Tidewater Zippo

[img][/img]

720th AC&W Sqdn Zippo

[img][/img][img][/img]

Here is a subject you don't see much of..

Nice pieces, Joe, Finns. Really impressive old school spark guys..



S