I have an opportunity to buy a WWII Zippo lighter, but I have not seen or held it yet. I never had one before, and don't really collect lighters, but I do like any WWII stuff.
Can you guys please help me out as to the value?
The lighter is silver over bronze (I would think brass) marked as follows;

ZIPPO MFG. CO. BRADFORD PA
ZIPPO
PAT. 2032695 MADE IN U.S.A.

It has 2 diagonal stripes on the lid in the right hand corner and 2 diagonal stripes on the bottom left corner.

There is wear from use, and it has been etched with some type of tool "VJG" (maybe the vet's initials) on one side, and "Thaub Austria 45" on the other.

The inside has "V.J.G." on one side and "1945 France" on the other.

The woman who has it said it was her husband's, but she thinks he got it from a friend who was a field medic.

It sounds interesting, but is a $100 item? $50?
I want to be fair to both her and myself.

Thanks,

Chief

Hello Chief, hope this little bit of info is of some assistance...........Dave H

have no idea of price range

I sold a couple of Zippo's on ebay. Some were unit marked and some older.

I got from $6.00 to $42.00 for a mint zippo in the original box with documents from the 40's.

I hope that helps you price it.

Please keep in mind that during WWII a lot of GI's smoked and they all had zippos, so there are a ot of them.

The black crackle ones are the ones everyone wants.

USMC guys also had zephyrs green od color.I also sold a black crackle one but it was unmarked and not a zippo but WWII era.
http://militaryedgedweapons.com/ww2bl1.jpg


Bret Van Sant

I have one a friend gave me it is one of the 1937-1950 ones it has that been there done that look and has the marine corps emblem placed on the side. Mike

Getting back to the value question;
Having the guys initials and Austria on it kind of narrows the market. If it had a specific unit on it, it would appeal to a larger group. Even if it had the guys full name, at least it could be researched. one like this I would offer $25 on, I think you could sell it for around $40-50, but I wouldn't expect a lot more.

Thanks Mr. Jerry, that helps me a lot!
(I didn't realize that this is a collecting field all to it's own!)

Chief