Vietnam Zippo Qui Nhon 1967 - 1968 " Cold Beer, Hot Girl, Sorry About That " Love
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:27179239 | Original Vietnam Zippo: Yes |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Art Depicted: Woman and Beer |
| 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.
This authentic Vietnam Zippo features a highly sought after design that showcases the raw sense of humor that was a part of nearly every soldier's Vietnam experience. The top front inscribed "Viet Nam, " underneath which is inscribed "Qui Nhon: 67-68." The front body of the lighter features a little slice of many a soldier's vision of Heaven. At the front and center, displayed across the front cover, a shallow etched engraving of a nude woman, breasts exposed, reclined and waiting. To the left of her, a simple desk - on which sits the perfect addition to the beautiful woman, - a bottle of cold beer. Above the desk is the crude etched phrase "COLD BEER, " to the right of the woman: "HOT GIRL, " and just under the perfect little scene: "SORRY ABOUT THAT." Again, all etchings a the front are quite shallow in cut, and imperfect in nature. The text is somewhat wonky, off center, flawed in formation. Likewise, the etched visual depictions at the front (especially the desk and beer) are at best vague representations of their true to life forms - thus, the useful addition of identifying text! The back top of the lighter is unmarked, while the back body is inscribed "IF YOUR NOT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH." "You're" is spelled "your." The lighter is tarnished. It boasts your typical signs of wear - all types of wear - from scratches, to divots, to dents, scuffs, and scrapes. The wear, however, is only aesthetic - the functionality of the Zippo is not compromised. "Dinged up, " one might say, but beautifully so. The side of the lighter featuring the hinge shows pressure points created during manufacturing process above and below the hinge itself. There is some give to the top (it will move back and forth some if you apply pressure firmly, but this is VERY minimal). The close is solid, still "clicks" shut. Closes with virtually no gap between the lid and the body of the lighter. The bottom of the lighter bears manufacturer Zippo print - not carved - dated 1967 (llll Zippo lll) - "Bradford" upper left, "PA" upper right. Copyright "R" under date code. Patent 2517191. The inner casing is tarnished, stained. There is NO structural/functional damage to the lighter - but the signs of aesthetic wear are obviously notable.
