Photographed collector reference · Case & bottom stamp
1956 · Regular · Bradford — Case & bottom stamp reference (1956)
1956 · Regular · Brass case: Real photographed 1956 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. 1956 · Regular · Bradford: Early/Late can only be determined by looking at the hinge size. Early 1956 lighters had hinges matching earlier years (1949-1955). There was roughly a 50/50 split between hinge types.
- Known period
- 1956
- 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
Early/Late can only be determined by looking at the hinge size. Early 1956 lighters had hinges matching earlier years (1949-1955). There was roughly a 50/50 split between hinge types.
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.
- 1956 · Regular · Bradford — 1956 · Regular · Brass case
- 1956 · Regular · Bradford — 1956 · Regular · Bradford
- 1956 · Regular · Bradford — 1956 · 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.