Photographed collector reference · Case & bottom stamp
1955 · Regular · Bradford — Case & bottom stamp reference (1955)
1955 · Regular · Brass case: Real photographed 1955 Bradford example supplied by Terry Lyons. This documented lighter has a brass case and steel insert; treat the material pairing as specimen-specific evidence rather than a universal rule for the year. Use the complete dot layout and surrounding stamp design together; weak strikes, wear and lighting can make individual dots less obvious. 1955 · Regular · Bradford: Mid-late 1955. "PAT 2517191" lower left, "PAT PEND" lower right. Dots to the left and right of ZIPPO logo help represent the years as one element for identification. 1955 · Regular · Bradford: Lack of dots with remaining markings implies a 1955 or 1956. Only possible identification is "late" 1956 if the original hinge is identifiable. Faint markings cannot support a more precise year attribution. Mark count or dating remains uncertain where the impression is weak. 1955 · Regular · Bradford: Lack of dots with remaining markings implies a 1955 or 1956. Only possible identification is "late" 1956 if the original hinge is identifiable. Faint markings cannot support a more precise year attribution. Mark count or dating remains uncertain where the impression is weak.
- Known period
- 1955
- Plant
- Bradford / United States
- Case type
- regular
- Dating evidence
- Supporting comparison — A useful illustrated or photographed comparison. The feature alone does not establish a unique production date.
- Reference verification
- Photographed specimen; visual features documented, precise production date and authenticity not automatically verified.
Reference images · real photographed examples
Mid-late 1955. "PAT 2517191" lower left, "PAT PEND" lower right. Dots to the left and right of ZIPPO logo help represent the years as one element for identification.
Lack of dots with remaining markings implies a 1955 or 1956. Only possible identification is "late" 1956 if the original hinge is identifiable. Faint markings cannot support a more precise year attribution. Mark count or dating remains uncertain where the impression is weak.
Lack of dots with remaining markings implies a 1955 or 1956. Only possible identification is "late" 1956 if the original hinge is identifiable. Faint markings cannot support a more precise year attribution. Mark count or dating remains uncertain where the impression is weak.
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.
- 1955 · Regular · Bradford — 1955 · Regular · Brass case
- 1955 · Regular · Bradford — 1955 · Regular · Bradford
- 1955 · Regular · Bradford — 1955 · Regular · Bradford
- 1955 · Regular · Bradford — 1955 · Regular · Bradford
- 1955 · Regular · Bradford — 1955 · Regular · Bradford
Dating evidence and reference verification
Sources: Glen's Zippo Page — Historical bottom-stamp, case/insert construction details, Canadian dating chronology, and transition research; In Quiet Detail — Primary photographic and collector reference archive; Moonlight Zippo — Historical bottom-stamp variants, Slim dating chronology, and Canadian bottom/insert period references; Terry Lyons; J. Kim
Supporting comparison: A useful illustrated or photographed comparison. The feature alone does not establish a unique production date.
Reference verification: Photographed specimen; visual features documented, precise production date and authenticity not automatically verified.
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.