| YEAR | BOTTOM | TOPICS |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 |
|
Although the war had ended, brass (the original case material) was still in short supply, and thus nickel silver was used for the case; steel or nickel silver was used for the insert. These new Zippo lighters featured an indented bottom (canned bottom) and an overall rounded look, still seen on current models. In the Spring of 1946, Zippo Mfg. Co. stopped manufacturing lighters in order to improve the flint wheel. In October 1946, they restarted production of lighters with an improved flint wheel and cam. The case material was still nickel silver, but chrome-plating was applied. |
| 1947 |  |
In the middle of 1947, the improved insert was adopted and it had 16 holes. The wheel-rest was also improved. |
| 1948 |  |
The base material was changed from nickel silver to brass. (Nickel silver was still used for the insert.) During this period, Zippo Mfg. Co. produced a model with the so-called pointed rocket-top cap. |
1949 |
 |
Late in 1949, the three barrel hinge was switched to five barrel hinge. |
1950 |
 |
Fully covered leather lighters were introduced. The colors available were red, blue, green, tan calfskin, and English Moroccan grain leather with a gold-leaf Zippo logo. |
1951 |
 |
During the Korean War, because of a shortage of material, Zippo lighters were manufactured from steel, until late 1953 when they returned to chrome plated brass. The material of the insert was changed from nickel to stainless steel. |
1952 |
|
The fully covered leather lighter was replaced by a wrap around leather model. |
| 1953 |
|
Late in 1953, marking of Pat. No. on the bottom was changed from "PAT.2032695" to" PAT.2517191", because of application for a patent on flint tube bushing. And "PAT. PENDING" was also engraved. Lighters with this new marking were called the "Full Stamp Model". This new marking was also applied to the insert. |
1954 |
|
|
When the Korean War was over, Zippo lighter cases returned to chrome plated brass. But the "Full Stamp Model" lighters made of steel were manufactured until the late 1953. |
