Zippo date codes: dots, bars, slashes, Roman and modern numbers
Browse the historical case code sequences, A–L month letters, Roman numerals, Slim exceptions and current two-digit year codes.
In Quiet Detail · Historic Zippo knowledge archive
Zippo dating and historical references
Explore photographed bottom stamps, case details, inserts, special Zippo replicas, materials, hinge constructions and historically documented transitions. Every reference is connected to the interactive dating assistant, with source and photo attribution.
Dates and variants may overlap. Photos of a collector's individual lighter do not prove universal manufacturing dates.
Browse by year
Historical topics
World War II: case construction and 3-/4-barrel hinges
Wartime Zippo lighters, steel construction, black crackle finish and collector-photographed examples.
Postwar materials: nickel silver, chrome plating and brass
1946–1949 Zippo material changes documented through historical collector references.
Slim Zippo chronology and insert development
Slim bottom stamps, insert development and period differences from documented sources.
Niagara Falls, Canadian Zippo dating references
Canadian bottom stamps and inserts: Niagara Falls production, dated changes and overlapping periods.
Replica Zippos and special commemorative stamps
1932 and 1941 Replica styles, collectible stamps and cautions about modern manufacturing dates.
Historical Zippo construction: cases, hinges, inserts and materials
Independent historical research by Hardi Döhler on regular US Zippo construction, technical transitions, and evidence limits.
Zippo inserts: chimneys, rivets, springs and felt pads
Technical insert clues, photographed views and overlapping historical periods.
Technical reference glossary
Photographed specimens, bottom stamps and inserts
Each entry below has its own stable URL containing the documented period, source attributions, photos and technical notes. Illustrations are labeled separately from real collector photographs.
- 1933 — case (1933)
- 1933–34 — case (1933–1934)
- 1936–40 — case (1936–1940)
- 1938–41 — case (1938–1941)
- 1941–42 — case (1941–1942)
- 1942 — case (1942)
- 1942–43 · A — case (1942–1943)
- 1942–43 · B — case (1942–1943)
- 1943–46 — case (1943–1946)
- 1946 · A — case (1946)
- 1946 · B — case (1946)
- 1946–47 · A — case (1946–1947)
- 1946–47 · B — case (1946–1947)
- 1947 — case (1947)
- 1948 — case (1948)
- 1949 — case (1949)
- 1950 — case (1950)
- 1951–53 — case (1951–1953)
- 1953–54 — case (1953–1954)
- 1955 — case (1955)
- 1956 — case (1956)
- 1957 — case (1957)
- 1958 — case (1958)
- 1959 — case (1959)
- 1960 — case (1960)
- 1961 — case (1961)
- 1962 — case (1962)
- 1963 — case (1963)
- 1964 — case (1964)
- 1965 — case (1965)
- 1966 — case (1966)
- 1967 · A — case (1967)
- 1967 · B — case (1967)
- 1968 — case (1968)
- 1969 · A — case (1969)
- 1969 · B — case (1969)
- 1970 — case (1970)
- 1971 — case (1971)
- 1972 — case (1972)
- 1973 — case (1973)
- 1974 — case (1974)
- 1975 — case (1975)
- 1976 — case (1976)
- 1977 — case (1977)
- 1978 — case (1978)
- 1979 — case (1979)
- 1980 — case (1980)
- 1981 — case (1981)
- 1982 — case (1982)
- 1982 · 50th A — case (1982)
- 1982 · 50th B — case (1982)
- 1983 — case (1983)
- 1983 · Gold — case (1983)
- 1983 · Alternate — case (1983)
- 1984 — case (1984)
- 1985 — case (1985)
- 1985 · Replica — case (1985)
- 1986 · Backslashes — case (1986)
- 1986 · Roman — case (1986)
- 1986 · July — case (1986)
- 1987 — case (1987)
- 1988 — case (1988)
- 1988 · Replica — case (1988)
- 1989 — case (1989)
- 1989 · Replica — case (1989)
- 1990 · A — case (1990)
- 1990 · B — case (1990)
- 1990 · Replica — case (1990)
- 1991 — case (1991)
- 1991 · Replica — case (1991)
- 1992 — case (1992)
- 1992 · Silver Plate — case (1992)
- 1992 · Replica A — case (1992)
- 1992 · Replica B — case (1992)
- 1993 — case (1993)
- 1993 · Replica — case (1993)
- 1994 — case (1994)
- 1994 · Replica — case (1994)
- 1995 — case (1995)
- 1996 — case (1996)
- 1997 — case (1997)
- 1997 · Anniversary — case (1997)
- 1997 · Replica — case (1997)
- 1998 · A — case (1998)
- 1998 · B — case (1998)
- 1998 · Replica — case (1998)
- 1998 · 1933 Replica — case (1998–1999)
- 1999 — case (1999)
- 1999 · Special — case (1999)
- 2000 · Early — case (2000)
- 2000 · Later — case (2000)
- 2001 — case (2001)
- 1932 — insert (1932)
- 1933 36 — insert (1933–1936)
- 1936 42 — insert (1936–1942)
- 1943 46 — insert (1943–1946)
- 1946 48 — insert (1946–1948)
- 1947 51 — insert (1947–1951)
- 1951 53 — insert (1951–1953)
- 1953 56 — insert (1953–1956)
- 1956 58 — insert (1956–1958)
- 1958 — insert (1958)
- 1958 59 — insert (1958–1959)
- 1959 60 — insert (1959–1960)
- 1961 67 — insert (1961–1967)
- 1967 68 — insert (1967–1968)
- 1968 76 A — insert (1968–1976)
- 1968 76 B — insert (1968–1976)
- 1975 82 A — insert (1975–1982)
- 1975 82 B — insert (1975–1982)
- 1982 A — insert (1982)
- 1982 B — insert (1982)
- 1983 A — insert (1983)
- 1983 B — insert (1983)
- 1984 A — insert (1984)
- 1984 B — insert (1984)
- 1985 A — insert (1985)
- 1985 B — insert (1985)
- 1986 A — insert (1986)
- 1986 B — insert (1986)
- 1986 2000 A — insert (1986–2000)
- 1986 2000 B — insert (1986–2000)
- 2000 front — insert (2000)
- 2000 reverse — insert (2000)
- 2001 13 front — insert (2001–2013)
- 2001 13 reverse — insert (2001–2013)
- 1941 Replica front — insert (Undated reference)
- 1941 Replica reverse — insert (Undated reference)
- 1950 · Regular · Brass case — case (1950) Real photo
- 1950 · Nickel insert · real example — insert (1950) Real photo
- 1976 · Regular — case (1976) Real photo
- 1932 Replica First Release · 1988–1992 — case (1988–1992) Real photo
- 1991 · Slim — case (1991) Real photo
- 1992 · Regular — case (1992) Real photo
- 1992 · Silver Plate — case (1992) Real photo
- 1993 · Regular — case (1993) Real photo
- 1993 · Silver Plate — case (1993) Real photo
- 1994 · Regular — case (1994) Real photo
- 1994 · Silver Plate — case (1994) Real photo
- 1995 · Regular — case (1995) Real photo
- 1995 · Time Tank Pocket Clock — case (1995) Real photo
- 1996 · Regular — case (1996) Real photo
- 1997 · Regular — case (1997) Real photo
- 1997 · Vintage Look Series — case (1997) Real photo
- 1998 · Regular · Real examples — case (1998) Real photo
- 1998 · Vintage Look Series — case (1998) Real photo
- 1999 · Regular — case (1999) Real photo
- 1999 · Titanium · COTY — case (1999) Real photo
- 2000 · Regular · Weak strike example — case (2000) Real photo
- 2001 · Regular — case (2001) Real photo
- 2004 · 1941 Replica — case (2004) Real photo
- 2014 · Regular — case (2014) Real photo
- 2017 · Armor — case (2017) Real photo
- 2017 · Regular — case (2017) Real photo
- 2018 · Armor — case (2018) Real photo
- 2019 · 1935 Replica — case (2019) Real photo
- 2019 · Armor — case (2019) Real photo
- 2019 · Regular — case (2019) Real photo
- 2020 · 1941 Replica — case (2020) Real photo
- 2021 · Armor — case (2021) Real photo
- 2021 · Regular — case (2021) Real photo
- 2022 · Armor — case (2022) Real photo
- 2022 · Regular — case (2022) Real photo
- 2022 · Solid Copper · Pre-production Special Edition — case (2022) Real photo
- 2023 · Regular — case (2023) Real photo
- 2024 · 1941 Replica — case (2024) Real photo
- 2024 · 1941 Replica · Sterling Silver — case (2024) Real photo
- 2024 · Armor — case (2024) Real photo
- 2024 · Regular — case (2024) Real photo
- 2025 · 1941 Replica — case (2025) Real photo
- 2025 · 1941 Replica · VE/VJ 80th Anniversary — case (2025) Real photo
- 2025 · Armor — case (2025) Real photo
- 2025 · 540 Premium Series — case (2025) Real photo
- 2025 · Regular — case (2025) Real photo
- 1968 · Slim · Canada — case (1968) Real photo
- 1976 · Slim · Canada — case (1976) Real photo
- 1999 · Canadian Collectible “They Work” — case (1999) Real photo
- 2002 · Canada · Final Production Run Collector’s Edition — case (2002) Real photo
- 1951 · Regular · Steel case — case (1951) Real photo
- 1951 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1951) Real photo
- 1952 · Regular · Steel case — case (1952) Real photo
- 1952 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1952) Real photo
- 1953 · Regular · Steel case — case (1953) Real photo
- 1953 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1953) Real photo
- 1954 · Regular · Brass case — case (1954) Real photo
- 1954 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1954) Real photo
- 1955 · Regular · Brass case — case (1955) Real photo
- 1955 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1955) Real photo
- 1956 · Regular · Brass case — case (1956) Real photo
- 1956 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1956) Real photo
- 1957 · Regular · Brass case — case (1957) Real photo
- 1957 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1957) Real photo
- 1958 · Regular · Brass case — case (1958) Real photo
- 1958 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1958) Real photo
- 1959 · Regular · Brass case — case (1959) Real photo
- 1959 · Steel insert · real example — insert (1959) Real photo
- Regular · 1972 — insert (1972) Real photo
- Gold-plated · January 2022 — insert (2022) Real photo
- 1941 Replica · May 2024 — insert (2024) Real photo
- 1932 Replica Second Release · January 1997 — insert (1997) Real photo
- Regular · July 2021 — insert (2021) Real photo
- Slim gold-plated · September 1986 — insert (1986) Real photo
- 1994–1996 · Regular insert — insert (1994–1996) Real photo
- 1932 Replica First Release · two real specimens — insert (1990) Real photo
- 1972 · Regular · real bottom stamp — case (1972) Real photo
- 1932 Replica Second Release · documented 1997 example — case (1997) Real photo
- WWII Zippo · 1942 · 4-barrel hinge · Case — case (1942) Real photo
- WWII Zippo · 1942 · 4-barrel hinge · Insert — insert (1942) Real photo
- WWII Black Crackle · 1943–1945 · 3-barrel hinge · Case — case (1943–1945) Real photo
- WWII Black Crackle · 1943–1945 · 3-barrel hinge · Insert — insert (1943–1945) Real photo
- Zippo · 1946 — case (1946) Real photo
- Zippo · 1946 — insert (1946) Real photo
- Zippo · 1947 — case (1947) Real photo
- Zippo · 1947 — insert (1947) Real photo
- Zippo · 1948 — case (1948) Real photo
- Zippo · 1948 — insert (1948) Real photo
- Zippo · 1949 — case (1949) Real photo
- Zippo · 1949 — insert (1949) Real photo
- 1956–57 · Slim — case (1956–1957)
- 1958 · Slim — case (1958)
- 1959 · Slim — case (1959)
- 1960 · Slim · variant A — case (1960)
- 1960 · Slim · variant B — case (1960)
- 1961 · Slim — case (1961)
- 1962 · Slim — case (1962)
- 1963 · Slim — case (1963)
- 1964 · Slim — case (1964)
- 1965 · Slim — case (1965)
- 1966 · Slim — case (1966)
- 1967 · Slim · variant 1 — case (1967)
- 1967 · Slim · variant 2 — case (1967)
- 1967 · Slim · variant 3 — case (1967)
- 1968 · Slim — case (1968)
- 1969 · Slim — case (1969)
- 1970 · Slim — case (1970)
- 1971 · Slim — case (1971)
- 1972 · Slim — case (1972)
- 1973 · Slim — case (1973)
- 1974 · Slim — case (1974)
- 1975 · Slim — case (1975)
- 1976 · Slim — case (1976)
- 1977 · Slim — case (1977)
- 1978 · Slim — case (1978)
- 1979 · Slim · earlier logo — case (1979)
- 1979 · Slim · late logo — case (1979)
- 1980 · Slim — case (1980)
- 1981 · Slim — case (1981)
- 1982 · Slim — case (1982)
- 1983 · Slim — case (1983)
- 1984 · Slim — case (1984)
- 1985 · Slim · standard — case (1985)
- 1985 · Slim · alternate stamp — case (1985)
- 1986 · Slim · early/backslash-era — case (1986)
- 1986 · Slim · new date-code layout — case (1986)
- 1987 · Slim — case (1987)
- 1988 · Slim — case (1988)
- 1989 · Slim — case (1989)
- 1990 · Slim · without Made in U.S.A. — case (1990)
- 1990 · Slim · with Made in U.S.A. — case (1990)
- 1991 · Slim — case (1991)
- 1992 · Slim — case (1992)
- 1993 · Slim — case (1993)
- 1994 · Slim — case (1994)
- 1995 · Slim — case (1995)
- 1996 · Slim — case (1996)
- 1997 · Slim — case (1997)
- 1998 · Slim — case (1998)
- 1999 · Slim — case (1999)
- 2000 · Slim · variant 1 — case (2000)
- 2001 · Slim — case (2001)
- 2002 · Slim — case (2002)
- 2003 · Slim — case (2003)
- 2004 · Slim — case (2004)
- 2005 · Slim — case (2005)
- 2006 · Slim — case (2006)
- 2007 · Slim — case (2007)
- 2008 · Slim — case (2008)
- 2009 · Slim — case (2009)
- 2010 · Slim — case (2010)
- 1949–50 · Canada — case (1949–1950)
- 1951–63 · Canada — case (1951–1963)
- 1963–86 · Canada — case (1963–1986)
- 1986–2000 · Canada — case (1986–2000)
- 2000 · Canada — case (2000)
- 2001–02 · Canada — case (2001–2002)
- 1949–50 · Canada insert — insert (1949–1950)
- 1951–58 · Canada insert — insert (1951–1958)
- 1959–63 · Canada insert — insert (1959–1963)
- 1963–75 · Canada insert — insert (1963–1975)
- 1975–86 · Canada insert — insert (1975–1986)
- 1986–2000 · Canada insert — insert (1986–2000)
- 2000 · Canada insert — insert (2000)
- 2001–02 · Canada insert — insert (2001–2002)
- 1951–54 · Canada · Patented 1950 variant A — case (1951–1954)
- 1951–67 · Canada · Patented 1950 variant B — case (1951–1967)
- Zippo Script Logo Collectible — case (2023)
- Slim 65th Anniversary Collectible — case (2021)