Zippo WWII

During WWII, the Army Quartermaster Corps
started ordering Zippos in large quantities.
Servicemen carried their Zippo Windproof Lighters
on all battle fronts abroad, from Europe to the South Pacific.
They carried their Zippos from beach heads to victory
– too many precious memories, too much faithful service.
And many of the veterans preserved their Zippos for posterity,
along with service ribbons and insignias.
In memory of them.

V-E Day – Victory in Europe

The Allied forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union had forced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. The following day, May 8, citizens around the world celebrated the news of «Victory in Europe (V-E) Day». It was the first hurdle on the path to ending World War II. V-E Day was by no means the end of the war. It would be another four months before Japan would surrender to the Allies in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, known as «Victory over Japan (V-J) Day».


Black crackle Zippo with «VE» engraved on the front, back, and bottom.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von V-E Day – Victory in Europe, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von V-E Day – Victory in Europe, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2Vorderseite von V-E Day – Victory in Europe, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 3

Black Crackle – U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings Insignia

Black crackle Zippo with an aluminium U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Air Force Pilot Wings Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Army Great Seal Insignia

Mint black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Great Seal insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Great Seal Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Great Seal Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Pilot Wings Insignia

Worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Navy Pilot Wings insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Pilot Wings Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Pilot Wings Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Officers Insignia

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Navy Officers insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Officers Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Navy Officers Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Marine Corps Insignia

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Marine Corps Insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front and with the owner's name «STOCK» engraved on the back.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Marine Corps Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Marine Corps Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Coast Guard Insignia

Worn black crackle Zippo with U.S. Coast Guard insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    five barrel hinge (fixed after war), flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Coast Guard Insignia, Modell five barrel hinge (fixed after war), flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Coast Guard Insignia, Modell five barrel hinge (fixed after war), flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Insignia

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – U.S. Army Medical Corps

Black crackle Zippo with U.S. Army Medical Corps insignia originally applied by Zippo to the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Medical Corps, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – U.S. Army Medical Corps, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Black Crackle – engraved by Zippo

Worn black crackle Zippo with factory engraved monogram «JVW».

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Black Crackle – engraved by Zippo, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Black Crackle – engraved by Zippo, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Red Crackle

Worn red crackle Zippo – said to have been produced for tank units – with US Half Dollar 1943 coin with walking Liberty on the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Red Crackle, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Red Crackle, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Red Finish

Red overpainted black crackle Zippo.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Red Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Red Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

White Finish – «The Black Devils»

The 1st Special Service Force was an elite American-Canadian commando unit in WWII, under the command of the U.S. Fifth Army. The Force served in the Aleutian Islands, and fought in Italy, and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944. As a light infantry unit destined for alpine or winter combat it was issued various items of non-standard clothing, equipment and rations, including skis, parkas, haversacks and the Mountain ration.


White overpainted black crackle Zippo.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von White Finish – «The Black Devils», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von White Finish – «The Black Devils», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

Gold Tone Finish

Gold tone Zippo with a British Half Penny 1943 coin on the front. 

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Gold Tone Finish, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Gold Tone Finish, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Light Green Finish

Well worn light green overpainted black crackle Zippo.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Light Green Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Light Green Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

Dark Green Finish

Well worn green overpainted black crackle Zippo.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Dark Green Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Dark Green Finish, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio

Camp Perry known as one of the largest rifle ranges in the United States. It was used to train soldiers during WWI and WWII. The camp also housed German and Italian prisoners of war during WWII. Camp Perry was also known for different shooting matches.


Green finish Zippo with plate on the front and «Rifle Firing, Camp Perry, Ohio» inscription and shooting scene.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 3Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 4Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 5Vorderseite von Green Finish – Camp Perry Ohio, Modell three barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 6

U.S. Army – Marksmanship Badge

Well worn black crackle Zippo with a sterling expert marksmanship qualification badge and a rifle clasp.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von U.S. Army – Marksmanship Badge, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von U.S. Army – Marksmanship Badge, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Marksmanship Badge – Ernie Pyle

Black crackle Zippo with a marksmanship qualification badge applied on the front, flanked by two clasps reading «PISTOL» above and «CARBINE» below. On the reverse, «Ernie Pyle» and the date «4-18-45» are engraved – the day the famed war correspondent was killed in action on Ie Shima.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Marksmanship Badge – Ernie Pyle, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Marksmanship Badge – Ernie Pyle, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Leather – Fleur de Lis

Leather wrapped Zippo with embossed Fleur de Lis and owner's prename «RAY» on the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Leather – Fleur de Lis, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Leather – Fleur de Lis, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Leather – Monogram H

Leather wrapped Zippo with cigarette case, both probably overlaid by hand in Africa with ornaments and a large letter «H».

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Leather – Monogram H, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von Leather – Monogram H, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2Vorderseite von Leather – Monogram H, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 3

Leather – Star of David

Leather wrapped Zippo with a hand carved Star of David on the lid and a George VI coin showing the king’s portrait and legend «GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP» inset on the front. The reverse carries a compass-rose engraving above a 1944 British half penny, the coin depicting Sir Francis Drake’s ship, the Golden Hind. On the bottom, the initials «MHG» appear in inverse relief.

  • Model:

    five barrel hinge

  • Year:

    1949 - 51

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 1Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 2Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 3Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 4Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 5Vorderseite von Leather – Star of David, Modell five barrel hinge, Jahr 1949 - 51, Bild 6

Lacquer – «Nageon Chilgi»

Two Zippos custom decorated in Korea, using traditional artwork called «Nageon Chilgi», with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays as decoration including personal initials/name. «Najeon» means mother-of-pearl and «Chilgi» refers to lacquerware. The Abalone shell is first carved, then applied to the case. Layers of lacquer are then applied. The artist would then hand polish the entire surface revealing the Abalone shell underneath.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    1. in collection / 2. sold

Vorderseite von Lacquer – «Nageon Chilgi», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Lacquer – «Nageon Chilgi», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2Vorderseite von Lacquer – «Nageon Chilgi», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 3Vorderseite von Lacquer – «Nageon Chilgi», Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 4

Lacquer – U.S. XXIV Army Corps

The U.S. XXIV Army Corps participated in the invasion of Leyte in the Philippine Islands on 20 October 1944. From 1 April to 30 June 1945 the corps and its divisions participated in the invasion of Okinawa. In September 1945, after the surrender of Japan, the corps moved to Korea, where it remained on occupation duty until its inactivation on 25 January 1949.


Zippo with black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays as decoration.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Lacquer – U.S. XXIV Army Corps, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Lacquer – U.S. XXIV Army Corps, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

U.S. Army Shield

Black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army Shield emblem on the front.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von U.S. Army Shield, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von U.S. Army Shield, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2Vorderseite von U.S. Army Shield, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 3

U.S. Army aide-de-camp – Air Transport Command

Within the U.S. Army Aides-De-Camp were and are specifically appointed to general-grade officers. The usual tour of duty for aides is up to two years and the rank of the general officer being served is indicated on the device worn by the aide-de-camp.


Chrome plated Zippo with U.S. Army Aide-De-Camp insignia for an aide to a brigadier general on the front and a U.S. Air Transport Command emblem on the other side.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von U.S. Army aide-de-camp – Air Transport Command, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von U.S. Army aide-de-camp – Air Transport Command, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

U.S. Army aide-de-camp – RAF Medical Corps

Black crackle Zippo with a U.S. Army Aide-De-Camp insignia for an aide to a brigadier general, attached between two M1 Garand .30-06 Springfield bullets, with an officer's silver rank star above on the front side. The back side shows a Royal Air Force (RAF) Medical Services Corps officer's collar badge, with the coat of arms of the University of Oxford on the lid.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von U.S. Army aide-de-camp – RAF Medical Corps, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von U.S. Army aide-de-camp – RAF Medical Corps, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2

U.S. Army Collar Insignia

Worn black crackle Zippo with the U.S. Army insignia on the front.

  • Model:

    four barrel hinge, flat bottom

  • Year:

    1942 - 43

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von U.S. Army Collar Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 1Vorderseite von U.S. Army Collar Insignia, Modell four barrel hinge, flat bottom, Jahr 1942 - 43, Bild 2

Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star

It appears to result from a rare exchange between an American and Soviet soldier during the brief period of their joint march and attack as Allied Forces against the German Reich.


Worn black crackle Zippo with a Soviet Russian Army officers cap badge red star soldered on the front and with the monogram «LK» engraved on the other side.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 3Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 4Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 5Vorderseite von Soviet Russian Army Officers Cap Badge Red Star, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 6

Six Coins – Six Countries

Worn black crackle Zippo with six coins applied: a Russian 15 Kopeks 1939 coin, a German Empire Wilhelm II ½ Mark 1916 and an Irish 3 Pence coin on the front along with a Swiss ½ Franc 1943 coin, a Netherlands 1 Cent and a British King George VI «Lucky» Sixpence 1938 coin on the other side.

  • Model:

    three barrel hinge, round bottom

  • Year:

    1943 - 45

  • Status:

    in collection

Vorderseite von Six Coins – Six Countries, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 1Vorderseite von Six Coins – Six Countries, Modell three barrel hinge, round bottom, Jahr 1943 - 45, Bild 2
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