XVI
Base Stamps 1986 to 2000
In 1986 Zippo adopted a system of Roman numerals to identify the year of manufacture. As there was no no requirement to use both sides a letter was added to denote the month of manufacture. A=January, B=February up to L=December
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1986 | II | Only G to L (July to December are known to exist) (See Note) |
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1987 | III | |
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1988 | IV | |
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1989 | V | |
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1990 | VI | |
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1990 | VI | From October 1990 the words MADE IN U.S.A were added |
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1991 | VII | Some lighters are know to exist from 1991 with the 'Made In USA' missing. The base stamp is the same as that used in early 1990 |
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1991 | VII | On later lighters the bottom line was "Stretched" (note the position of the ® relative to the bottom line) The earliest I have seen this is April, but I have seen later lighters with the short bottom line. It can only be assumed that both stamps were being used throughout the year |
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1992 | VIII | |
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1993 | IX | |
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1994 | X | |
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1995 | XI | |
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1996 | XII | A minor alteration was made to the hinge in April, from this date the lower part of the hinge is bevelled (See detail) |
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1997 | XIII | |
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1998 | XIV | 1998 saw the first use of the "crossed I" (where the letter I in "Made In U.S.A." has the line to the top and bottom. I have found this on lighters from May, June July & August of this year, but further research is necessary. |
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1999 | XV | |
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2000 | XVI | Lighters made in January & February only have XVl on the base. The I on the bottom line has regained its cross lines |
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2000 | 2000 XVI |
Lighters made from March onwards have both 2000 & XVl on the base. The "I" on the bottom line has also lost the cross lines |
1986 to 2000 Inserts
Around 1988/89 a minor alteration was made to the cam spring. The end nearest the flint wheel gained became tapered
In 1992, the design of the felt altered. Previous felt had a small hole (Possibly designed for storing a spare flint) this was removed and the felt was printed with "LIFT TO FILL" This is printed on both sides of the felt.
Towards the end of 1995 / early 1996, the typeface used on the stamping altered. The wording remained the same but the font size was increased.
