1936–40
Case / bottom stamp · 1936–1940
Historical year lookup
Zippo 1939
Historical Zippo references associated with 1939: 2 case/bottom stamp entries, 1 insert entries, and 0 photographed examples. Date codes, materials and insert construction should be assessed together, especially for transitional years.
Bottom stamps and cases
1938–41
Case / bottom stamp · 1938–1941
Insert references and construction
1936 42
Insert reference · 1936–1942
Construction features documented for 1939
Typical US regular-production chronology from independent collector research by Hardi Döhler. The ranges overlap, and Canada, Slim, Replica, Sterling, Japan-market and special editions may differ. These are supporting observations, not a definitive date determination.
Case shapes
- Square-corner case 1934–1940 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
The taller square-corner case is typical of much of the early production period; subsequent body shapes overlap.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
- Rounded drawn case 1938–1942 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
A drawn body with rounded corners emerged before the wartime period, alongside earlier case forms.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Case metals and finishes
- Chrome-plated brass case 1933–1941 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
Chrome-plated brass was a principal prewar case construction; the changeover into steel was gradual.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Hinge development
- Internal four-barrel hinge 1936–1942 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
Four-barrel hinges mounted internally are typical of the later prewar and early wartime period.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Patent and bottom-stamp wording
- PAT. 2032695 case marking 1936–1953 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
PAT. 2032695 is associated with many late-1930s through early-1950s bottom stamps, with layout variations.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Insert materials
- Early brass tubular insert 1933–1941 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
Early inserts are documented with tubular brass construction; check assembly methods as well as metal.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Insert lettering
- Minimal or absent early insert text 1933–1942 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
Some early insert constructions carry little or no stamped instruction text.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Chimney construction
- 14-hole chimney 1936–1947 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
Fourteen-hole chimneys are characteristic of many prewar and immediate postwar inserts.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Cam springs
- Humped leaf cam spring 1937–1957 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
The arched/humped leaf cam spring is documented across several prewar and postwar decades.
The photographed 1947 Terry Lyons example has a modern replacement spring; never infer 1947 spring design from that component.
Flint-wheel cuts
- Early straight-cut flint-wheel teeth 1933–1946 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
The earliest flint wheels commonly show a predominantly horizontal tooth-cut pattern.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Flint-wheel rivets
- Hollow flint-wheel rivet 1933–1963 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
Hollow flint-wheel rivets appear through the early 1960s; later examples may carry replaced components.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Felt pads
- Cotton packing without a distinct felt pad 1933–1942 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
Some early inserts were packed without a modern-style felt pad; preserved originals are important for confirmation.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Wicks and packing
- Pre-copper-wire wick construction 1933–1980 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
Older wick styles can differ from the later copper-wire-interwoven wick; repairs commonly replace wicks.
Some historic wick materials may contain asbestos; avoid disturbing uncertain old material.
- Period cellulose packing 1939–1946 · exception · Source: Hardi Döhler
Some late prewar and wartime examples use flat cellulose or cotton packing materials; survival and originality vary.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Insert construction evidence
- 14-hole chimney — Some 1946 inserts still used the earlier 14-hole chimney. Known period: 1930–1946. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
14-hole chimney · Historical reference illustration · Source: Glen's Zippo Page - Humped cam spring — Known period: 1937–1957. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Moonlight Zippo, Glen's Zippo Page.
Humped cam spring · Historical reference illustration · Source: Moonlight Zippo, Glen's Zippo Page - Hollow flint-wheel rivet — Solid rivet introduced around 1961; hollow continued until around 1963. Known period: 1900–1963. Evidence: supporting. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
Hollow flint-wheel rivet · Historical reference illustration · Source: Glen's Zippo Page
Similar years
Interpretation: References may cover multiple years. A documented insert date is not proof of its case production date, and special Replica stamps require separate interpretation.