Zippo - RARE US 5th SPECIAL FORCES 1968 Vietnam War
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:1174237 | Brand: Zippo |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Modified Item: No |
| Original/Reproduction: Original | Date of Creation: 1968 |
Here we have a genuine, rare and original 1968 zippo from 5th special forces group, 1st special forces.Use your favourite search engine and look up Project Gamma Vietnam for their details of covert operations in Cambodia. This unit although small in numbers were one of the most decorated in Vietnam.This particular lighter dates to 1968 during their operations there.This lighter has been verified by Zippo as original.
To personalise his lighter further the green beret holder had his ...Vietnam US forces field post code 96240 engraved.Looking this up on the internet it is Nha Trang the HQ base.I’ve never seen such engravings before and I presume San Francisco being his home city.
How did I come to owning this lighter ?A friend of mine around 5 years ago holidayed in Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ) and found himself in a second hand shop and in a box covered with clothes he found this lighter.He knew I would like it as I’m ex military and also visited San Francisco on a couple of occasions.I think the best suggestion given to me is that this special forces soldier worked closely with a translator and Republic of Vietnam soldier going on many missions together.You can imagine he would have been close to him and at the end of his tour he presented his personal engraved lighter to him.
Due to its excellent condition I don’t think it’s been used much in all these years, if at all. I prefer the brushed steel sort of lighter, they certainly age better than the brass ones more commonly found advertised and a lot counterfeit. There is a very small ding on the front at the bottom, I’ve often wondered how he done that. To me it gives it extra character.Perhaps on his death around 5 years ago, his family sold or donated his clothes, unwanted items etc to this shop with this lighter in that clothes box until my friend chanced upon it.
About 3 yrs ago the pin on the hinge came out. Well it is 50 yrs old so it lasted well !I knew Zippo do a life time guarantee on repairs and they have never charged for one.So I sent it off to Zippo and forgot al about it, I was certain it was genuine anyway.About 6 weeks later it was posted back to me from Zippo European repair centre in Germany. Fully repaired and a new insert fitted inside too.Thanks Zippo.Remember Zippo do not repair counterfeit products.I recently had to put a new flint in and it lights first time, every time.It will be dried out for postal purposes so all you will need to do is put lighter fuel in. I’ve only ever used genuine zippo fluid in it.
So why am I selling it ?I enjoy using it once a week when I go out to the pub and I’ve already lost in the back of a taxi a zippo I had before this one, a modern one but sentimental value as it was given me in Hungary.Basically I’m worried about losing this one so want it to go where it will be appreciated more.There’s no buy it now, I’ll let the auction run to the end. The market place will dictate its price, people like to bid on eBay that’s what it’s all about, It will not be removed beforehand.Clearly I’m not going to give this away, it’s the only one in the world engraved as such and been cleared as original by Zippo.However it has what I think is a very reasonable reserve.I’ll post it first class and insured and sign for delivery with proof of postage.
If it doesn’t sell here, I’ll put it on eBay USA site.If it doesn’t sell there I’ll keep it in a box safely and plan to visit Nha Trang to take it ‘ home ‘The base is long closed now but it’s a good beach holiday resort today I understand.Thanks for reading, I’ve tried to personalise this listing as it was a very personal lighter to that green beret.Re-listed with a lower reserve
To personalise his lighter further the green beret holder had his ...Vietnam US forces field post code 96240 engraved.Looking this up on the internet it is Nha Trang the HQ base.I’ve never seen such engravings before and I presume San Francisco being his home city.
How did I come to owning this lighter ?A friend of mine around 5 years ago holidayed in Ho Chi Minh City ( Saigon ) and found himself in a second hand shop and in a box covered with clothes he found this lighter.He knew I would like it as I’m ex military and also visited San Francisco on a couple of occasions.I think the best suggestion given to me is that this special forces soldier worked closely with a translator and Republic of Vietnam soldier going on many missions together.You can imagine he would have been close to him and at the end of his tour he presented his personal engraved lighter to him.
Due to its excellent condition I don’t think it’s been used much in all these years, if at all. I prefer the brushed steel sort of lighter, they certainly age better than the brass ones more commonly found advertised and a lot counterfeit. There is a very small ding on the front at the bottom, I’ve often wondered how he done that. To me it gives it extra character.Perhaps on his death around 5 years ago, his family sold or donated his clothes, unwanted items etc to this shop with this lighter in that clothes box until my friend chanced upon it.
About 3 yrs ago the pin on the hinge came out. Well it is 50 yrs old so it lasted well !I knew Zippo do a life time guarantee on repairs and they have never charged for one.So I sent it off to Zippo and forgot al about it, I was certain it was genuine anyway.About 6 weeks later it was posted back to me from Zippo European repair centre in Germany. Fully repaired and a new insert fitted inside too.Thanks Zippo.Remember Zippo do not repair counterfeit products.I recently had to put a new flint in and it lights first time, every time.It will be dried out for postal purposes so all you will need to do is put lighter fuel in. I’ve only ever used genuine zippo fluid in it.
So why am I selling it ?I enjoy using it once a week when I go out to the pub and I’ve already lost in the back of a taxi a zippo I had before this one, a modern one but sentimental value as it was given me in Hungary.Basically I’m worried about losing this one so want it to go where it will be appreciated more.There’s no buy it now, I’ll let the auction run to the end. The market place will dictate its price, people like to bid on eBay that’s what it’s all about, It will not be removed beforehand.Clearly I’m not going to give this away, it’s the only one in the world engraved as such and been cleared as original by Zippo.However it has what I think is a very reasonable reserve.I’ll post it first class and insured and sign for delivery with proof of postage.
If it doesn’t sell here, I’ll put it on eBay USA site.If it doesn’t sell there I’ll keep it in a box safely and plan to visit Nha Trang to take it ‘ home ‘The base is long closed now but it’s a good beach holiday resort today I understand.Thanks for reading, I’ve tried to personalise this listing as it was a very personal lighter to that green beret.Re-listed with a lower reserve
