Two Themed Sports Zippo
This exceptionally unusual Zippo was manufactured between 1947 and 1949, identifiable by its desirable three-barrel hinge and high-polish chrome-plated brass case, both hallmarks of Zippo's earliest post-war production. While sporting-themed Zippos were among the company's most popular decorative offerings during this period, examples combining two different factory-style sporting engravings on a single lighter are extraordinarily uncommon.
The front of the lighter features a finely engraved shotgun and shotgun shell, with the shell retaining its original multi-colour paint fill. This artwork is representative of Zippo's sporting engravings of the late 1940s and reflects the immense popularity of hunting and shooting sports in post-war America. The crisp engraving and subtle paint-filled details are characteristic of the quality decorative work produced by Zippo during this era.
What truly sets this lighter apart, however, is the engraving on the reverse. Most known examples featuring this shotgun-and-ammunition motif have the DuPont logo engraved on the reverse, as they were produced as promotional lighters for DuPont, whose smokeless powders, shotgun reloading components, and sporting products were widely marketed to hunters and shooting enthusiasts. In contrast, this lighter replaces the expected DuPont advertising with an elegant fly fisherman casting his line.
This substitution transforms the lighter from a conventional corporate advertising piece into something far more intriguing. Rather than pairing the hunting motif with commercial branding, it celebrates two of America's most cherished outdoor pursuits—hunting on the front and fishing on the reverse. To date, this combination is virtually undocumented in contemporary Zippo catalogues and period advertising, making it a remarkable departure from the standard production format.
The unusual pairing strongly suggests that this may have originated as an employee piece or another form of non-catalogued factory production. During the late 1940s, Zippo employees occasionally assembled personal lighters using existing engraving dies, sample artwork, or decorative combinations that never entered commercial production. While no surviving factory documentation confirms the provenance of this particular lighter, its departure from the conventional shotgun front / DuPont logo reverse configuration is entirely consistent with the type of unique pieces that occasionally emerged from the Bradford factory.
Beyond its distinctive engravings, the lighter remains an excellent representative of Zippo's immediate post-war craftsmanship. The high-polish chrome-plated brass case, desirable three-barrel hinge, and surviving original paint fill all contribute to its appeal, while the dual sporting motifs distinguish it from the vast majority of engraved Zippos from the period.
Whether regarded as an employee-made piece, a factory-assembled special, or an undocumented presentation lighter, this example stands as a fascinating testament to Zippo's decorative artistry during the late 1940s. Its replacement of the customary DuPont reverse logo with a beautifully engraved fly fisherman creates an exceptionally rare and highly collectible variation that offers a glimpse into the creativity and individuality occasionally found within Zippo's early factory production.
