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In Quiet DetailA visual study of simple, well-made objects.

Historical and technical guide

Slim Zippo chronology and insert development

Slim bottom stamps, insert development and period differences from documented sources.

All illustrated examples and dated claims link back to their original documented references and named sources. Transitional dates are approximate unless explicitly supported.

Recorded historical details

1956: Historical dating note

A real 1956 Bradford example supplied by Terry Lyons documents a brass case with steel insert and provides a photographed dot-layout comparison.

1956: Slim manufacturing note

Zippo begins production of Slim lighters. Early Slims have a flat bottom; the insert uses a wheel guard (“cobra head”) over the flint wheel.

1957: Historical dating note

A real 1957 Bradford example supplied by Terry Lyons documents a brass case with steel insert and provides a photographed dot-layout comparison.

1957: Canadian production note

Around 1957/58 the humped cam spring begins to give way to the narrow straight cam spring. Component overlap is expected.

1958: Historical dating note

A real 1958 Bradford example supplied by Terry Lyons documents a brass case with steel insert. The supplied insert reference shows the narrow flat cam spring rather than the earlier humped cam-spring form.

1958: Slim manufacturing note

The insert still uses the horizontal logo, with “Flints and Fluid” added above the patent-number text. Moonlight also notes that Slim production begins in Niagara Falls, Ontario; those Canadian Slims are identified by the insert.

1958: Canadian production note

Around 1957/58 the humped cam spring begins to give way to the narrow straight cam spring. Component overlap is expected.

Photographs and related references

Additional matches are available in the full archive.

Related years

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