Vietnam Zippo Phan Rang 1971 - 1972 Seventh Air Force Eagle And Shield Lighter
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:27178699 | Original Vietnam Zippo: Yes |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Art Depicted: Eagle and Shield |
| Theme: Military | Modified Item: No |
| Brand: Zippo |
Intro: This is an individual listing from a set I currently have listed. If you would like to view the set listing, you can find that on my page of active listings.
A little backstory on this set. My uncle is a Vietnam veteran. He served 67-68. Many years ago I remember my uncle lighting a cigarette with with an old, rugged looking lighter. I recognized the happy character displayed across the front almost immediately - “Mickey Mouse!” I, of course, asked him if I... could hold it. He flipped the lid down (I still remember the lovely sound it made) and looked at me apprehensively. He sat there for a moment, lighter in his big heavy palm, and then reached out and placed it into my outstretched hand. It was Mickey Mouse! But then… what did that say above his head? “F**K IT!” I couldn’t believe it. There was good old Mickey - innocent as can be - right alongside that “forbidden word.” I don’t know what my face looked like at the moment, but I remember his deep, hearty laugh, followed by “don’t tell your mother.” From this moment on, the Vietnam Zippo became a passion of mine. As I grew older, I more understood the complexities surrounding their often simple, some might say “crude” depictions - and the phrases accompanying those depictions. To myself, these aren’t lighters… this set takes you into the hearts and minds of the young men who served in a war-torn land far away from their own, who lived and died to protect the name of Freedom. This set depicts hopes and dreams, heavenly escapes, and comedic reprieves. Some of the pieces in this set belong to my uncle (he kept his favorites). Others, I have amassed myself, often from the very men who served alongside my uncle. This set, obviously, is close to my heart. However, the stories behind each and every one of these authentic Vietnam Zippos will remain long after the lighters have moved on.
Phan Rang: 1971-1972 Seventh Air Foce Zippo This authentic Vietnam Zippo features a top front inscribed "Viet Nam, " underneath which is inscribed "Phan Rang: 71-72." The front body of the lighter features the phrase "THERE IS NO GRAVITY THE WORLD SUCKS." The back top of the lighter is unmarked, while the back body is bears a crudely etched shallow cut "Seventh Air Force" insignia. I love this etching for its vague, flawed composition. There is not a lot of detail within, but it does enough to get the point across... to be identifiable. The emblem displays an eagle (again, very crudely carved) at the top of the 7th Air Force insignia. The eagle is encompassed in a cloud of sorts. Below the eagle, a shield, at the center of which is a circle. Within that circle, the number "7" passing through a star. at the bottom of the shield, inside a banner/scroll - the words "Seventh Air Force." Look closely at this inscribed phrase. It is very "crammed' in nature, the letters poorly formed. It was a lot to fit into the small banner, and you can tell whoever did the etching struggle do so while maintaining its legibility. Despite the crudeness of the entire etching at the back, it manages to achieve identifiability just fine. It isn't perfect, but it gets the job done. As for the wear on this piece, you'll find wear in every form. Tarnish spots, dents, divots, scrapes, scratches (both light and heavy). There is a big dent at the top of the lid. There case is dented all throughout, creating a wonderful feel with its rises and falls in surface variation. Most of the denting is composed of clusters of small dents/divots and centers mostly around the lid of the lighter (front and back).The side of the lighter featuring the hinge shows pressure points created during manufacturing process above and below the hinge itself - heavy tarnish and denting above and below the hinge. There is some give to the top (it will move back and forth some if you apply pressure firmly) but the close is solid. Still "clicks" shut. Despite its wear, the wear is "aesthetic" only. Functionally, this is a clean close Zippo, with very minimal gapping in the closure. The bottom of the lighter bears manufacturer Zippo print - not carved - dated 1972 ( l Zippo l ) - "Bradford" upper left, "PA" upper right. Copyright "R" under date code. The inner casing is tarnished, stained. There is NO structural/functional damage to the lighter - but the signs of aesthetic wear are obviously notable.
