Dating Canadian Zippos

This chart is an attempt to put all the information from the previous page into a single "quick guide" sheet

All the dates are approximate. Some components would be held in stock, and old stock would be used until supplies were exhausted. For this reason two lighters made on the same day could have different components fitted.

Year Base Stamp Insert Insert Material* Cam-Spring Hinge Notes
1949-1950 PAT PENDING PAT PENDING Nickel Humped Equal  
1951-1954 PATENTED 1950 PATENTED 1950 Nickel Humped Equal Rounded "9" on base stamp
1952-1955 PATENTED 1950 PATENTED 1950 Stainless Steel Humped Equal  
1956-1957 PATENTED 1950 PATENTED 1950 Stainless Steel Humped Equal  
1958-1959 PATENTED 1950 PATENTED 1950 Stainless Steel Narrow Equal  
1959-1963 PATENTED 1950 For best results (Horiz) (PAT 50) Stainless Steel Narrow Un-Equal  
1963-1967 PATENTED 1950 For best results (Vert) (PAT 50) Stainless Steel Narrow Un-Equal  
1967-1970 Niagara Falls For best results (Vert) Stainless Steel Narrow Un-Equal  
1970-1975 Niagara Falls For best results (Vert) Stainless Steel Widespread Un-Equal  
1975-1980 Niagara Falls Two Sided Imprint Stainless Steel Widespread Un-Equal  
1980-1986 Niagara Falls Two Sided Imprint Stainless Steel Widespread Un-Equal Wire in Wick
1986-2002 Date Coded Date Coded Stainless Steel Widespread Un-Equal See Chart below
             

*Insert material is subject to further research

In the yearly codes the letters A to L are used to indicate the month of manufacture A=January, B=February etc

 

Year

Code

    
1986 ll   G to L
1987 lll   A to L
1988 lV   A to L
1989 V   A to L
1990 Vl   A to L
1991 Vll   A to L
1992 Vlll   A to L
1993 lX   A to L
1994 X   A to L
1995 Xl   A to L
1996 Xll   A to L
1997 Xlll   A to L
1998 XlV   A to L
1999 XV   A to L
2000 XVI 2000 A to L
2001 01   A to L
2002 02   A to G

 

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