Historical and technical guide
1946–1949 Zippo material changes documented through historical collector references.
All illustrated examples and dated claims link back to their original documented references and named sources. Transitional dates are approximate unless explicitly supported.
Terry Lyons photo reference: the photographed case and insert are plain (unplated) nickel silver. Chrome-plated nickel-silver case finishes also appear in late 1946, so the material/finish alone is not an exact-year code.
Terry Lyons photo reference: chrome-plated nickel-silver case with nickel-silver insert. The photographed insert has a MODERN replacement cam spring (per original readme); never use this spring as evidence of a 1947 factory construction.
Terry Lyons photo reference: chrome-plated brass case and nickel-silver insert. Brass reappeared in the postwar transition; confirm multiple construction features and allow overlap.
Terry Lyons photo reference: chrome-plated brass case and nickel-silver insert. A three-barrel hinge is documented here but the hinge transition is not a strict 1 January production cutoff.
Niagara Falls production began on 19 August 1949. Early Canadian cases and inserts use PAT. PEND. wording.
Case / bottom stamp · 1943–1946
Case / bottom stamp · 1946
Case / bottom stamp · 1946
Case / bottom stamp · 1946–1947
Case / bottom stamp · 1946–1947
Case / bottom stamp · 1947
Case / bottom stamp · 1948
Case / bottom stamp · 1949
Insert reference · 1943–1946
Insert reference · 1946–1948
Insert reference · 1947–1951
Case / bottom stamp · 1946
Insert reference · 1946
Case / bottom stamp · 1947
Insert reference · 1947
Case / bottom stamp · 1948
Insert reference · 1948
Case / bottom stamp · 1949
Insert reference · 1949
Case / bottom stamp · 1949–1950
Insert reference · 1949–1950