Photographed collector reference · Case & bottom stamp
1986 · Regular · Bradford · Japan-market Flat Bottom — Case & bottom stamp reference (1986)
1986 · Regular · Bradford · Japan-market Flat Bottom: This Japan-market flat-bottom example has a comparatively shallow bottom impression, an early script Zippo logo and unusually thick backslash markings. Two backslashes are visible on each side of the logo, consistent with the regular Zippo date-code pattern for January–June 1986. The source note cites production of this design in 1984–1985 (Zippo Manual World, Book 1, p. 241), which differs from the date indicated by this photographed stamp. Whether this specific stamp style continued into 1986 has not been independently verified from the cited book; the factory code is evidence for the photographed case, not proof of the complete model production range. 1986 · Regular · Bradford · Japan-market Flat Bottom: Japan-market flat-bottom style showing the script Zippo logo, month letter and Roman-numeral year code. The source cites an approximate 1986/1987–1991 period (Zippo Manual World, Book 1, pp. 241–242); verify the actual stamped date separately.
- Known period
- January–June 1986
- Plant
- Bradford / United States
- Case type
- Regular
- Dating evidence
- Primary dating clue — An established factory date code or a directly relevant stamp system. Check the complete marking and model type; it is not a certificate of authenticity.
- Reference verification
- Photographed specimen; date or classification attributed to the source, not factory-certified.
- Year attribution
- date-code-consistent (January–June 1986); exact month unknown
Reference images · real photographed examples
This Japan-market flat-bottom example has a comparatively shallow bottom impression, an early script Zippo logo and unusually thick backslash markings. Two backslashes are visible on each side of the logo, consistent with the regular Zippo date-code pattern for January–June 1986. The source note cites production of this design in 1984–1985 (Zippo Manual World, Book 1, p. 241), which differs from the date indicated by this photographed stamp. Whether this specific stamp style continued into 1986 has not been independently verified from the cited book; the factory code is evidence for the photographed case, not proof of the complete model production range.
Japan-market flat-bottom style showing the script Zippo logo, month letter and Roman-numeral year code. The source cites an approximate 1986/1987–1991 period (Zippo Manual World, Book 1, pp. 241–242); verify the actual stamped date separately.
Historical variants and original source records
Independent sources and distinct stamp layouts are preserved as individual photographs, not additional main cards. A pictured example alone cannot establish that every lighter from the year used the same construction.
- 1986 · Regular · Bradford · Japan-market Flat Bottom — 1986 · Regular · Bradford · Japan-market Flat Bottom
Dating evidence and reference verification
Sources: J. Kim
Primary dating clue: An established factory date code or a directly relevant stamp system. Check the complete marking and model type; it is not a certificate of authenticity.
Reference verification: Photographed specimen; date or classification attributed to the source, not factory-certified.
Photographic copyright: Credited individually below each photograph
Dating caution. Case and insert can have different manufacture dates; inserts may have been replaced. A single feature does not establish authenticity.