The first Zippo lighters in Sterling silver appeared in the late 1930's but due to World War II were not promoted to the public until 1946. The Sterling Zippo case does not have dating marks like the standard brass cases which makes the precise year of manufacture difficult to determine. Information on dating of Sterling Zippos can be found
HERE.
1938-39 early engine turned Sterling
Zippo engraved with the initials WDM,
probably a test model. Pre-WWII
Sterling Zippos
are rare.
1940-41 Sterling silver plain Zippo
with sunk-in initials "HWE"
for Wayne Edwards, a former Zippo employee.
1946-49 engine turned Sterling Zippo
with initials "JPM"
Rare 1949-50 Sterling Zippo with
canned bottom and 5-barrel hinge.
The toned case has vertical lines
and is inscribed with
the initials "JAE".
Late 1940's Sterling
prototype Zippo with
new Sterling bottom. -
Early 1950's Sterling Zippo
with ornate
proto-type design.
Early 1950's Sterling Zippo with
ornate proto-type design
1950's Sterling Zippo with attached
badges, including Westinghouse, Air
Arm;
Blaw-Knox, Mason,
Shaver& Rhoades.
1952-53 Sterling Silver Town & Country
Zippo. Extremely
rare to see
any Town & Country on
a sterling silver lighter.
Early 1950's Sterling Zippo for
Allegheny Airlines. On the reverse
has signature of
Henry A. Satterwhite, one
of the founders of Bradford
AM radio station
1953-56 Sterling silver Zippo with
multiple fraternal
badges attached on
both sides
1955 Sterling Zippo with attached
pheasant. The engraving on the
reverse reads:"M To remind you
of Orchard Valley Spylglet's
(?) win on April 1, 1955" Signed by
"B".
