Vietnam Zippo Sai Gon 1968 - 1969 Special Forces Beret And Sword.
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:44412947 | Original Vietnam Zippo: Yes |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Art Depicted: Beret and Sword |
| 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.
Sai Gon: 1968-1969 Special Forces Beret and Sword This authentic Vietnam Zippo features a top front inscribed "Viet Nam, " underneath which is inscribed "Sai Gon: 68-69." The "Sai Gon" inscription is interestingly imperfect. Very shallow cut and uneven lettering. The front body of the lighter features a crudely and shallow etched special forces beret and sword. The sword is off center some as it passes through the beret, the two sides of the sword separated by the beret itself and no quite matching up. The beret bears the special forces patch, vague - but identifiable. Under this shallow etched special forces insignia is the inscribed phrase "SPECIAL FORCES." The text is very shallow etched, and somewhat wonky - the individual letters of the phrase distinct from one another. Some of the letter in the "SPECIAL FORCES" inscription appear to be not quite complete. The back top of the lighter is unmarked, while the back body is inscribed "IF YOUR (instead of YOU'RE) NOT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH." This is a particularly interesting phrase as it is more commonly seen on Vietnam Zippos as "IF YOU'RE NOT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE YOU'RE WITH THE ONE YOU'RE WITH." The lighter is tarnished, scratched up (though most of the scratching is very light, hair thin) There are some dents and divots throughout, including the top of the lighter. The top lid of this lighter has a wonderfully uneven feel - rises and falls in the metal casing. Some divots and a few deep scratches at the bottom corners. The side of the lighter featuring the hinge shows pressure points created during manufacturing process above and below the hinge itself. The lid is very solid and fixed nicely. No wobble. Still "clicks" shut. Closure is without gapping but is slightly off center, creating a very slight overlap between the body of the lighter and the lid. The bottom of the lighter bears manufacturer Zippo print - not carved - dated 1968 (lll Zippo lll) - "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.
