Historical dating note
A real 1955 Bradford example supplied by Terry Lyons documents a brass case with steel insert and provides a photographed dot-layout comparison.
Historical year lookup
Zippo 1955
Historical Zippo references associated with 1955: 4 case/bottom stamp entries, 3 insert entries, and 2 photographed examples. Date codes, materials and insert construction should be assessed together, especially for transitional years.
Historical context and cautions
Canadian production note
Canadian hinge transition: five-barrel hinges with equal spacing are generally treated as production through 1955.
Bottom stamps and cases
1955
Case / bottom stamp · 1955
1955 · Regular · Brass case
Case / bottom stamp · 1955
1951–63 · Canada
Case / bottom stamp · 1951–1963
1951–67 · Canada · Patented 1950 variant B
Case / bottom stamp · 1951–1967
Insert references and construction
1953 56
Insert reference · 1953–1956
1955 · Steel insert · real example
Insert reference · 1955
1951–58 · Canada insert
Insert reference · 1951–1958
Construction features documented for 1955
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
- Postwar recessed-bottom profile 1947–2026 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
The familiar recessed-bottom case profile develops in the postwar years; this alone cannot distinguish later decades.
Present-day cases, replicas and special lines can depart from the usual form.
Case metals and finishes
- Brass as common regular-case substrate 1954–2026 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
Chrome-plated brass becomes typical again in the mid-1950s; special materials and later editions are exceptions.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Hinge development
- Nearly equal five-barrel hinge 1949–1956 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
Five-barrel hinges with relatively even barrel widths appear from late 1949 onward.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Patent and bottom-stamp wording
- PAT. 2517191 with patent-pending wording 1953–1956 · transitional · Source: Hardi Döhler
Collectors document combinations of the second patent number and patent-pending text during the mid-1950s.
Patent number issued in 1950; the appearance of particular stamp layouts may be later.
Insert materials
- Chrome-plated sheet-steel insert 1953–2026 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
Chrome-plated steel construction with a seam is typical of later regular inserts, but special and premium variants differ.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Insert lettering
- Patent text on one insert face 1943–1959 · approximate · Source: Hardi Döhler
One-sided patent/instruction layout is common in several mid-century insert families; the exact layout evolved.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Chimney construction
- Open-sided 16-hole chimney 1947–2026 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
Sixteen holes and an open wheel-side chimney wall become typical from the late 1940s onward.
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
- Cross-cut flint-wheel teeth 1946–2026 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
Cross-cut flint-wheel pattern becomes typical after the war, with possible overlap and replacements.
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
- Unprinted light-coloured felt pad 1947–1992 · broad · Source: Hardi Döhler
A plain pale rectangular felt pad is documented across many decades; replacement pads limit its dating precision.
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.
Known period variants
- 1955 early date-code layout — Four dots each side with PAT 2517191 and PAT. PEND. still present. Known period: 1955. Evidence: primary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page, Moonlight Zippo.
Case construction evidence
- Mid 1954-late 1955 full-stamp case — Chrome-plated brass full-stamp case. Known period: 1954–1955. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
- 1949 onward 5-barrel hinge — Known period: 1949–1955. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
- Up to 1955 equal five-barrel spacing — Known period: 1949–1955. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
Insert construction evidence
- 16-hole chimney — Introduced during 1946; not useful as a precise clue on later inserts. Known period: 1946–9999. Evidence: secondary. Sources: Glen's Zippo Page.
16-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.