Indicators of Fake Vietnam Lighters CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware)

[Cobra 6 Actual]

What does the bottom stamp look like, Nestor?

[Nestor]

9 hours ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

¿Qué aspecto tiene el sello de abajo, Nestor?

 

[Cobra 6 Actual]

I’m sorry, Nestor, my eyes are not that good. Is the word “ZIPPO” stamped or engraved?

[Nestor]

2 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

I’m sorry, Nestor, my eyes are not that good. Is the word “ZIPPO” stamped or engraved?

Hello. This is printed.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Stamped? If it is stamped it MAY be authentic. The painted letters trouble me a bit, but I’m afraid that this is not a simple “yes” or a “no” but an “Inconclusive.”

[Nestor]

10 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

¿Está sellado? Si lo está, PUEDE que sea auténtico. Las letras pintadas me preocupan un poco, pero me temo que no se trata de un simple "sí" o "no", sino de un resultado inconcluso.

Thanks Cobra, I'll see if I can get some new, higher-quality photos and clear things up. Cheers.

[Nestor]

8 hours ago, Nestor said:

Thanks Cobra, I'll see if I can get some new, higher-quality photos and clear things up. Cheers.

Good morning. I've attached higher quality photos.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Thank you, Nestor. The Zippo is an authentic, manufactured one. The letters engraved are crisp, although I am troubled by the black paint. My opinion is that this is probably an authentic, engraved-in-Vietnam during the War years lighter. Naturally, more on the named individual would be helpful.

 

I always go back to the best and easiest to authenticate are those with a name, service number, rank, unit, location and a paper or electronic copy of his DD-214 discharge available. But, this is not the ideal world, so we make our best estimated guesses. 

[Nestor]

45 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

Thank you, Nestor. The Zippo is an authentic, manufactured one. The letters engraved are crisp, although I am troubled by the black paint. My opinion is that this is probably an authentic, engraved-in-Vietnam during the War years lighter. Naturally, more on the named individual would be helpful.

 

I always go back to the best and easiest to authenticate are those with a name, service number, rank, unit, location and a paper or electronic copy of his DD-214 discharge available. But, this is not the ideal world, so we make our best estimated guesses. 

I completely agree. Those Zippos aren't just lighters; they're pocket biographies. While those with generic phrases ("Bury me upside down so the world can kiss my rump") are iconic, those that include specific details like service number or unit are authentic pieces of military history that, in many cases, allow you to trace the real soldier and verify their authenticity.

[Nestor]

8 minutes ago, Nestor said:

I completely agree. Those Zippos aren't just lighters; they're pocket biographies. While those with generic phrases ("Bury me upside down so the world can kiss my rump") are iconic, those that include specific details like service number or unit are authentic pieces of military history that, in many cases, allow you to trace the real soldier and verify their authenticity.

Cobra, what's the difference between a lighter with a crisp, perfect engraving that looks like it was laser-cut and one with "imperfection" and a "handmade" look by locals in street workshops? This is a characteristic of the authenticity of many Zippos from the Vietnam War.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Hi Nestor, one of the common elements of fakes is that the engraved letters are usually “wobbly” and mis-formed. This is due to the fact that they are still using engraving equipment that is at least 60 years old. This is not an “imperfection” or a “handmade” look. This is the result of using worn out equipment.

[Nestor]

4 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

Hola Nestor, una de las características comunes de las falsificaciones es que las letras grabadas suelen estar torcidas y deformadas. Esto se debe a que todavía utilizan maquinaria de grabado de al menos 60 años de antigüedad. No se trata de una imperfección ni de un aspecto artesanal, sino del resultado del uso de equipos desgastados.

Thanks Cobra for the clarification.

[Wade20th]

Been looking at Marine Vietnam lighters recently, is this one real or fake? I'm leaning towards fake because of the "I'D"

 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/188341589425?_skw=1st+marine+division+vietnam+zippo+lighter&itmmeta=01KR43F936Q73S575J7RTZQ4KG&hash=item2bda0895b1:g:tXoAAeSwcM9p9pL6&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAABAGfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xDrxZn%2F0U%2B8wtyuXc6MqKi4oeUb6I49VNS5eRYxnyd8BCjsDO6nVKmnmf92NKnHv%2BMnScc6coH%2FEdAhZMD%2FU9AKKt4N4h%2BkC7Lr7AI1LIxCTvCmpAXz%2Foo7KheMxfWvPjHX2DEZTmGJqvzJeHrhLB5k%2BQeIwHpxRXq1zR8BEdxbTww0ARp6VSApB7Vp6Pb2yaCY9XQY%2FonpQizwnkKBDAX8DezWTuBXVoMtc2Ek7tRKV5sbME75U2RVNm3lwwu%2BlQu5AI%2B53CysuWfr%2BPGuMUeex8lnp4HVJQ4Xu9xHWxOvhC08O2CEHincNl6L%2BiwmocE%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-CRvYPBZw

 

Thanks

 

Wade

[Wade20th]

This one I am also a bit skeptical on. 

 

 

Letters look a bit wobbly, and I don't think US Marines were at Hue at the time. 

 

Wade

[Wade20th]

This one is a fake. The wobbly letters and the backwards "S" on Saigon are the two main things about this. The black filling as well. 

 

 

Wade

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Wade20th, thanks for posting. Yep, those other two (Posts #688 and #689) are both fakes, too. 

[Oldcoolc]

 

This is on an eBay auction right now.  I don't know much about these factory enameled ones.  Is this one real, and does anyone have any tips for spotting fakes of this style?

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Oldcoolc, we had an earlier (much earlier) discussion of these Zippos back in posts #231 and #632. Quick recap: this is a rare “engraved at the factory in Bradford, PA” Zippo. Authentic and somewhat rare. 
 

The engraving and enamel are top quality. However, unfortunately, this lighter has no name, rank, unit, location, etc. engraved on it, so not as desirable.

 

I note that the seller has several more interesting Zippos as well. All look authentic.

[yokota57]

1 hour ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

Oldcoolc, we had an earlier (much earlier) discussion of these Zippos back in posts #231 and #632. Quick recap: this is a rare “engraved at the factory in Bradford, PA” Zippo. Authentic and somewhat rare. 
 

The engraving and enamel are top quality. However, unfortunately, this lighter has no name, rank, unit, location, etc. engraved on it, so not as desirable.

 

I note that the seller has several more interesting Zippos as well. All look authentic.

+1 C6A. 100% authentic factory original. The reddish-orange on the Cav insignia is interesting. I wonder if this is the original shade or has it changed as it aged?

[Yael Valencia]

Hi there, I found this lighter in my late husband's collection. He was an enthusiastic collector and loved auctions. That is where I assumed it got it. I have done the research I could, but I would love the opinions of others who know more than I do. From the marks at the bottom, it was made in 1970, the insert also dates from this time. At this time, the U.S.S. Tutuila was deployed to assist in the Vietnam War. I am sure the lighter is authentic, but I am a bit concerned that the engraving was added much later. It has an indecent picture engraved on the back of a man very proud of his manhood. I have blurred it. I don't know if that would be allowed here.I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Hello and welcome to this Forum. You are correct that it is an authentic 1970 Zippo with an “engraved at the factory in Bradford, PA” ship’s graphic, hull number, and ship’s name. The added “engraving” is so inexpert that it, unfortunately, detracts from the value of this lighter. 
 

Although this ship was off the coast of Vietnam, as you noted, the value would be, in my opinion, in the $30 to $50 range. On the other hand if it had some of these additional well-engraved features the price would go up: owner’s name, rank, specific job function/rating (Aviation Machinist’s Mate, for example), the word “Vietnam”, the dates of service (usually the year and/or the month and year) and so on. ‘Cool sayings” can add value too (unfortunately, “Mr Dick” is not one of them). Also, a paper copy of the Report of Separation Form, DD-14 would “seal the deal.” (I’ve included all of these further details, so you’ll know what a top-end Zippo should include.)

 

Again, welcome to this Forum.

[Yael Valencia]

8 minutes ago, Cobra 6 Actual said:

Hello and welcome to this Forum. You are correct that it is an authentic 1970 Zippo with an “engraved at the factory in Bradford, PA” ship’s graphic, hull number, and ship’s name. The added “engraving” is so inexpert that it, unfortunately, detracts from the value of this lighter. 
 

Although this ship was off the coast of Vietnam, as you noted, the value would be, in my opinion, in the $30 to $50 range. On the other hand if it had some of these additional well-engraved features the price would go up: owner’s name, rank, specific job function/rating (Aviation Machinist’s Mate, for example), the word “Vietnam”, the dates of service (usually the year and/or the month and year) and so on. ‘Cool sayings” can add value too (unfortunately, “Mr Dick” is not one of them). Also, a paper copy of the Report of Separation Form, DD-14 would “seal the deal.” (I’ve included all of these further details, so you’ll know what a top-end Zippo should include.)

 

Again, welcome to this Forum.

Cobra 6 Actual, Thank you so much for this information. I just didn't know what to make of it. I love this as a historical object. The audacity of the drawing makes me smile. “Mr Dick” is hysterical. We have other military items that will stay in the family. attached to my father-in-law's service in WWII. But when I saw this, I thought, what on earth.

[Cobra 6 Actual]

Glad to help out, Yael. And the “Mr Dick” pic is actually pretty tame. However, the lighters with similar “risqué” graphics or sayings are usually of much higher quality engraving. Again, welcome to this Forum.

 

By the way, my apologies on the Report of Separation Form. It should have read “DD 214”, not “DD 14”.

[SonofNamVet]

What are your thoughts about this lighter?

[yokota57]

11 minutes ago, SonofNamVet said:

What are your thoughts about this lighter?

It is identical to the authentic "Penguin" I have in my collection. Just more wear and tear.