Read the stamp
Zippo slim date codes
Among Zippo slim date codes, a is January and L is December. A replacement insert can carry a different date from the case.
Month on one side, year on the other
A is January and L is December. Read the case-bottom stamp separately from the removable insert. Older Zippo stamps use dots, lines, slashes and Roman numerals; older Slim and regular lighters have separate chart sequences.
Modern month letters
| Letter | Month |
|---|---|
| A | January |
| B | February |
| C | March |
| D | April |
| E | May |
| F | June |
| G | July |
| H | August |
| I | September |
| J | October |
| K | November |
| L | December |
What to check next
Keep the complete logo, patent wording and code visible. A replacement insert can carry a different date from the case. Use the matching Slim or regular chart for the older code format rather than applying the modern two-digit rule to Roman numerals.
Related marks
8 marks
Undated
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Explicit REPLICA wording and modern E 18 code distinguish the recreation from a 1935 original.
Undated
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Canadian company and Niagara Falls wording replace the Bradford inscription.
Undated
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Flame above the i and a letter/two-digit date code; illustrated B 04 is February 2004.
Undated
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Slanted script logo with the second patent number; date-code dots require the relevant model chart.
Undated
zippo date codes
B 04: February 2004, read from the month letter and year on opposite sides of the logo.
stamped
Undated
zippo date codes
E 18 beside 1935 REPLICA: May 2018 production of a historical-style design.
stamped
Undated
zippo date codes
Block ZIPPO logo and PAT. 2032695: an early layout whose patent number is not an annual date code.
stamped