Zippo refillable petrol lighter, windproof, made in USA, regular, packaged in an ecological gift box, refillable with Zippo refill fluid (sold unloaded).
The Code on the Case Back.
A characteristic element of Zippo production from 1933 to today is the use of a code on the back of each lighter, which identifies the year of production. The idea, born with a practical purpose, then became a source of interest for collectors looking for older lighters. Until 1957 only the patent registration number was indicated, from 1958 dots were introduced, from 1966 bars, first vertical and then oblique. From 1986 double coding was used, with the indication of a letter (from A to L) for the twelve months, and a Roman numeral for the year of production (IX=1993, 2001 the Roman numerals were replaced by Arabic numerals. Even the meaning of these codes, and especially the identification bars, have given rise to the most imaginative interpretations, among which the most recurrent is the statement that, ultimately, the more bars the lighter has, the more windproof it is. Find out the age of your Zippo lighter by checking the correspondence of the code printed on the back with the 3 illustrated tables.
The Zippo is available in two different sizes: Regular version height 55 mm width 40 mm thickness 10 mm weight 60 g. Slim version height 55 mm width 30 mm thickness 8 mm weight 40 g.
HOW TO LOAD A ZIPPO. There is only one official way for reloading, although many reload the ZIPPO in their own way. Use only original petrol. Remove the boiler from the box. Raise the trigger lever. Turn the boiler upside down and insert it into the box. Lift the sponge. Fill in petrol for 5 seconds. Wait a few seconds for absorption. Fill in more petrol for 5 seconds. Replace the sponge. Remove the boiler and turn it over. Move the trigger lever down. Reinsert the boiler into the case in the correct position.
HOW TO REPLACE THE STONE. Always use original stones. Remove the boiler from the box. Unscrew the screw by hand.? If it is difficult to unscrew, use a screwdriver. Be careful not to pop the spring off. Extract what remains of the old flint. Insert the new flint. Screw again. Insert the boiler into the box in the correct direction.
HOW TO CHANGE THE WICK. The wick of a zippo is not changed often. It can last 10 years without any problem! When the wick of your Zippo needs to be changed, buy a new original wick, it will last longer. To start, remove the boiler from the box. Unscrew the flint pusher screw, being careful to hold it well in your hand because it is under spring pressure. Now remove the sponge (the rigid rectangular part), then with a small screwdriver or the tip of a pen, remove the cotton balls that are inside the boiler. Once this is done, you should clearly see the hole where the wick will have to pass to come out. Then insert the new wick through the top of the Zippo. Allow the wick to protrude from the top by about 5 mm or a little more. Fold the wick into the boiler like a coil, alternating the repositioning of the cotton balls. Also reposition the sponge, insert the flint and screw the flint pusher back on. Load with petrol and your Zippo is ready for use.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A COUNTERFEIT ZIPPO. You can mainly recognize it by looking at its case back. If its stamped writing appears to be approximate or does not correspond to the original year code table. The fake Zippo often appears to be slightly thinner and taller, furthermore the characteristic noise when opening the lid is not reproduced by fake Zippos in the same way. The counterfeit Zippo often has a lid that opens until it touches the case, well the original has a lid that opens at around 45°. The smokestack (top part) always has 16 holes. Finally, the flint pusher and its support must be made of brass and not steel or other material.