The War Zippo of Hanoi: Pictures!
8 Comments Published by Joel November 15th, 2006 in Gadgets, Smoking. Share This
Greg M., keeper of the (now famed) War Zippo of Hanoi, wrote in with pictures of the lighter itself. It’s a good looking bit of kit—too nice to carry around as a daily use piece, although it would be a perfect conversation starter for lady and feller alike.
As promised heres a few pics of the zippo I picked up in Hanoi. Perhaps some of your readers may be able to help me with authentication. The dash marks on the base date it as a 1969 zippo which corresponds with the date on the front. The name on the lid (Dennis S) is interesting. I think its had a replacement lid though.Id like to find out about the crest on the back. Obviously Dennis was a bit of a hippy! I bet this was used to smoke some fine bud though a REAL shotgun!
That sir is a damn fine zippo! nuff said.
Thanks Havoc. Thats why I bought it.
All the way through the insane treck I went on I was thinking about it.
“If I make it over the next Hill I’ll buy that Zippo” I kept saying to myself.
I was damn happy when I got back to Hanoi and it was still there. Still I was never gonna pay $100 for it!
Nice find. I love Zippos. I used to collect them back in high school. People still give me them as gifts. I must have close to eighty of them. I don’t really collect hem anymore, but I’m always willing to grab one if it has some character. Yours would definitely earn a prominent spot on the shelf.
I got curious about the crest. I searched everywhere I could think of and the closest match I found was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ArmyAvitBadge.gif
Not exact, but with a poorly done design or with wear, it may be what the crest was trying for. It is definitely from the US Army Aviator series.
It’s certainly a cool looking lighter, but sadly it is neither a real Zippo nor a war relic. The markets of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are swamped with these things. Usually the metal seems a bit thinner than a normal Zippo, and it operates poorly (spills lighter fluid even when filled correctly).
I bought two in Phnom Penh for $3 each. Neither really worked that well, and didn’t travel back with me. They looked exactly like this, complete with rust and a guy’s name at the top.
I have to agree with Steven. 3 years ago I started to seriously look into getting one or more of these and after a tremendous amount of research found that 95% are fakes. The real ones if you can find them usually fetch an unbelievable price on ebay.
They are extremely cool and growing up with a parents that experience this war in one way or another makes these items very desirable.
I assure you guys that this IS a real zippo. Ive checked. It even has a propper zippo insert.
Steve, i actualy bought 5-10 of the cheapo ones you are talking about. And they are obvious fakes. This one is different. Its got the thickness of the casing. Plus it has the correct dash marks on the base, that date it to 1969. If you held it in your hand you would be able to tell the difference. One thing for sure its a real 1969 zippo. Weather it was carved during or after the war is another story.
I bought it 6 years ago from a store in Hanoi, the woman was reluctant to sell it to me, it was only my persistance that made her give it up. That and some hard barganing.
The last thing she told me was, “You’ll make good money from this back home. Its real” I didn’t belive her at the time, and dont to this day. Ive seen similar ones go for £150 on ebay but theres no way I would sell it. Plus theres no provenance, so I really couldnt prove it one way or another.
I like it, and thats all that counts.
Joelunchbucket: That looks like a pretty close match. Aircrew…
Interesting. At least its an actual US military badge. To be honest that was the only thing that was worrying me about its authenticity. It simply looked too generic.
I still dont think that a north vietnamese forger is going to come up with the Legend:
“If you want to make love, smile when you hand me the lighter back”
Thats pure ballsy GI that….