Historical year lookup
Historical Zippo references associated with 1968: 5 case/bottom stamp entries, 5 insert entries, and 3 photographed examples. Date codes, materials and insert construction should be assessed together, especially for transitional years.
Terry Lyons photographic reference: a Bradford regular-size case shows the 1968 vertical bars pattern (3 left, 3 right), with associated insert front/back and chimney-top photographs. The insert may have been replaced; determine case and insert dates separately.
Case / bottom stamp · 1968
Case / bottom stamp · 1968
Case / bottom stamp · 1968
Case / bottom stamp · 1968
Case / bottom stamp · 1963–1986
Insert reference · 1967–1968
Insert reference · 1968–1976
Insert reference · 1968–1976
Insert reference · 1968
Insert reference · 1963–1975
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.
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.
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.
Later five-barrel hinges generally have an uneven barrel-width pattern. This broad clue cannot determine a precise year.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
Patent numbers disappear from standard US regular-case bottom stamps around the late-1967 transition.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.
Vertical inscription layouts are common across later twentieth-century inserts; compare typography and code patterns.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.
The straighter, narrower leaf spring becomes typical in the late 1950s and remains in use into the 1970 transition.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.
Solid rivets become typical from the mid-1960s onward.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.
Red felt is documented as a less-common variant, not as a mandatory feature of every example in this interval.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.
A consolidated cotton packing form was offered in some period inserts; this is a documented variation rather than standard for every lighter.
Typical Bradford-made regular lighter; exceptions and overlapping production runs exist.
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.