Chili Ron Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 Howdy, I like to buy Zippo lighters with interesting emblems or pix or logos. Lately a lot of zippos are for sale with sayings and inscribed logos. Sometimes this is called trench art. Anyhow I just wonder if those who were there used or saw these inscribed zippos or if soldiers used regular plain zippos?? Maybe a little of both? Lately some fancy prices are attached to some zippos. I just wonder if these were actually used there or if the lighters are inscribed lately and aged by putting on dirt or whatever? I have met hundreds maybe even a thousand Nam vets but I just came up with this question last week. In case anyone is interested I was almost a Nam vet myself but I was deescalated. Thanks aheadotime. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 I personally never ran into any "Trench Art" Zippo's. Most that I knew, and myself had just the usual "plain jane" Zippo. I would suppose there were some who had something special mailed to them, but I don't remember ever seeing any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Trench are is the repurposing of a military item or decorating a military piece of equipment such as carving, hammering or stamping designs, phrases or pictures in a mess kit, canteen or artillery shell casing. It originated in the trenches when bored soldiers began decorating everyday items. Eventually a closet industry sprang up with local civilian artisans making some amazing pieces to sell as souvenirs. Many Vietnam troops had lighters engraved at a local vendor on or off base. I had a zippo engraved with my name and unit and a 7th Cav DUI on one side with a Huey on the other. They did a very nice job. A lovely memento. But it was not trench art at all However these days there are hundreds of Vietnam engraved lighters (Zippos and clones) on the market. 90% were made last week in Ho Chi Minh city, beat up, aged and shipped to unscrupulous dealers. Stay away from them unless you can document where it came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffield, SASS #23454 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I had one that was engraved with the logo of the 90th Repple Deopel. It is now at the Forgotten Warriors museum. I had one that was engraved with my name and "1000th Helo Landing USS Benewah" that was stolen when I lived in Nashville. Everyone in the crew got one. I saw one that was engraved with CWO Jerry Daly's name and some other info which I do not recall. These were the only ones that I have knowledge of. Duffield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 i know that the zippo has been a collectible for a good many years now , i suspect there are a lot of fakes and a lot of fleeced customers , back then i was just happy to have a working lighter - mine never had anything on them that didnt come from the factory - i bet most folks would tell you that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twelve mile REB Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 lots of lighters with a unit name or logo were available at PX's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted June 10, 2021 Author Share Posted June 10, 2021 Howdy. Ive read that there are counterfeit 100 bills that are actually better than real. The only way to tell is the actual serial number. Not sure if they work with a pen but I would bet they do. Fake zippo would be so much simpler and the inside could be bought from the factory... So charge 400 or so for a fake lighter. Big profit margin. Real big. Im getting a plain worn zippo from 68. Owned by a Marine who served there and passed. No documentation but it sure feels right. And not 400 either. Best CR I think I will stick to zippos with a western theme. They sure have some honeys. WANTED ?? oh yaaa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Now I have thisn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixgun Sheridan Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Sounds a lot like all the chrome-plated 1911s at the gun shows that allegedly were carried by some famous general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocWard Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Funny thing, I always wanted a neat Zippo. I only ever bought one, though, as a gift for a friend that collects them, from the U.S. embassy in Kuwait. Go figure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Now I have thisn. Something similar to that would make a cool match award. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Old Man Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I don't smoke, but I bought a Zippo and had it engraved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 29 minutes ago, Grumpy Old Man said: I don't smoke, but I bought a Zippo and had it engraved. Ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted June 10, 2021 Author Share Posted June 10, 2021 Howdy, Light candles. campfire, BBQ charcoals.Whatever. Many interesting uses in the Burn Notice tv series. Light a BMW for instance. Zippo now makes butane and electric inserts for any standard zippo lighter. The electric ones can recharge off a computer and hold a charge a long time. No flints or oil fuel or overfilled situations. And I once lit the cigarette of an oh so fine young lady at one of my favorite bars. She had a cigarette out when I walked by and still waiting for a light as I walked back. of course I had a date that night.....of course.....dang. I was repaid with a totally awesome smile...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 i agree , i carried a zippo even when i did not smoke - i quit cigarettes' back in 72 , never touched one since .........................OK , i do smoke cigars now , not the same tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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