Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam

**misskit** · 18-05-2023, 01:22 PM

Looks as though my husband had a collection of lighters stashed away. I am assuming he bought them on his many trips to Vietnam.

Anyone have some insight on this? Are they real? Certainly looks like it, but who knows.

Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam-img_4146-jpg

Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam-img_4146-jpg

Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam-img_4147-jpg

**Pragmatic** · 18-05-2023, 01:34 PM

Look on here to find their worth. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...xoCpKYQAvD_BwE

**Norton** · 18-05-2023, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

Anyone have some insight on this? Are they real? Certainly looks like it, but who knows.

Most likely real. I had a couple zippo lighters. Was the thing to have. Bet a few of those were picked of dead folks.

**harrybarracuda** · 18-05-2023, 01:52 PM

I used to pick them up in the markets of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Must be thousands of them still dotted around, you could buy three for $5.

Great presents for vet friends (of the post Vietnam war era), they loved them.

**harrybarracuda** · 18-05-2023, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

Look on here to find their worth. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...xoCpKYQAvD_BwE

I don't think a lot of those prices reflect their "worth".

**dirk diggler** · 18-05-2023, 03:47 PM

I bought one in VN too.

Check this site on how to date them, if authentic.

Zippo - Date Codes | Zippo USA

**misskit** · 18-05-2023, 05:24 PM

^ Thanks.

**david44** · 18-05-2023, 09:11 PM

Illumination as ever MsKit L'Allumeuse Meridionale

**Edmond** · 18-05-2023, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

Check this site on how to date them, if authentic.

Zippo - Date Codes | Zippo USA

Originally Posted by misskit

^ Thanks.

Great, if they're genuine.

I'd try to get as much information about each one, and their original owner, if possible, document, and then pass down rather than sell.

Only a few decades to go before the centenary of the war. (sorry Norts

)

**Reg Dingle** · 18-05-2023, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Bet a few of those were picked of dead folks

Seems he was a veteran at going first on the old three on a match trick

**misskit** · 19-05-2023, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by Edmond

I'd try to get as much information about each one, and their original owner, if possible, document, and then pass down rather than sell.

Only one has a name engraved and no other information. I already looked it up and there are many people with the same name.

I am not looking to sell them. Just wondering if they were worth keeping.

**dirk diggler** · 19-05-2023, 03:59 PM

My opinion is that every GI had a standard issue zippo and the fuel only lasts so long and then they are pretty much useless. Any war engravings will have been done later in Vietnam to make them sellable. My one has an iron cross welded onto the front with the words “War is hell, but actual combat is a son of a bitch” if I remember right.

None the less, it’s a pretty cool collection and it shouldn’t be hard to add more to it.

If you do think of selling, let me know. If not, I’ll see if I still have my one to add to yours.

**Norton** · 19-05-2023, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

the fuel only lasts so long and then they are pretty much useless

Nope.

**Topper** · 19-05-2023, 04:09 PM

^Zippos are refillable and the flint replaceable.

**nidhogg** · 19-05-2023, 04:10 PM

Some (a very few) might be 'real", but if you do not think that there are at least a couple of shops knocking them out for the tourist market, I think one is probably being a bit naïve.

**Bonecollector** · 19-05-2023, 06:01 PM

Awesome Misskit, you're husband obviously had class! if you are ever looking to get rid of one, let me know, I would definitely be interested!

**harrybarracuda** · 19-05-2023, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

My opinion is that every GI had a standard issue zippo and the fuel only lasts so long and then they are pretty much useless.

Huh? They're Zippos. You can put white spirit or kero in them FFS.

Padding and flints are freely available, as is Zippo lighter fluid if you prefer that.

I think a lot of them were done for (whatever the US equivalent is of) regiments or squadrons, a lot of them had the same notation and wording.

**Norton** · 19-05-2023, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I think a lot of them were done for (whatever the US equivalent is of) regiments or squadrons, a lot of them had the same notation and wording.

Or ship name or as mine was, simular to this.

Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam-rs-w_600-h_600-jpeg

**harrybarracuda** · 19-05-2023, 07:13 PM

I've been racking what's left of my brains to try and recall the one I gave to a Marine friend back in the sandpit, which pleased him no end. He even had it polished and restored. I don't remember the unit, but the inscription read:

"Death is my business, and business is good".

**Norton** · 19-05-2023, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I've been racking what's left of my brains to try and recall the one I gave to a Marine friend back in the sandpit, which pleased him no end. He even had it polished and restored. I don't remember the unit, but the inscription read:

"Death is my business, and business is good".

Bet he did. Jarheads loved that stuff.

**Bonecollector** · 19-05-2023, 07:19 PM

Zippo lighters from US soldiers in Vietnam-10144-copy-jpg

A knock off in all senses but still pretty cool

**dirk diggler** · 19-05-2023, 07:30 PM

I’m quite aware that zippos are refillable, repairable and, if genuine, I think they are guaranteed for life.

However, when you’re stuck down a fkn tunnel in a war zone with no fuel and you don’t even smoke, it’s fkn useless and you would trade it for a bloody onion if you got half the chance.

**Pragmatic** · 19-05-2023, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

"Death is my business, and business is good".

Many quotes regarding. One being Inside the Wagner Group: ‘Death is our business – and business is good’

**harrybarracuda** · 19-05-2023, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Bet he did. Jarheads loved that stuff.

He was Scottish.

**Reg Dingle** · 20-05-2023, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

when you’re stuck down a fkn tunnel in a war zone with no fuel and you don’t even smoke, it’s fkn useless

A bit of petrol out of the tank would do it

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