Vintage Cigarette Lighters

Outline for Dating Scripto Lighters

by Frank Dutton

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Outline for Dating Scripto Lighters

This outline is aimed at full-size Scriptos - however, works pretty well for the smaller versions and table models, too as most changes were in parts used on all of the models. It is fairly easy to date Scripto lighters prior to 1970; it is challenging after that. This is a list of items that will assist in dating most of the 1950s and 1960s Scripto lighters.

For more detailed and in-depth information as well as rare exceptions and subtleties on dating Scripto lighters, as well as repairing them, changing the wick, etc. - see Hawke's Trading Post. He sells, repairs, restores, and has some e-Books available with great, highly detailed Scripto information.

Quick Visible "Tells" for Approximate Dates

• Cap
  • Smooth - no thumb ridges: 1955 - 1959
  • Thumb ridges present: 1960 and Later
  • No snuffer in cap: 1976 and Later (unless it is broken out!)
• Spark wheel axle: (assuming original spark wheel!)
  • Hollow - has hole in center: 1955-1961
  • Solid: 1962 and Later
• Chimney "VU-LIGHTER by Scripto"
  • No markings on chimney: 1955-1958
  • "by" is centered: 1959 - 1961
  • "by" is to the left: 1962 and Later

Scripto Quick Dating Outline

Patent Number

• 2,529,094: Go to A:
• 2 Patent Numbers - US & Canadian: Go to B:

A: 1955 - 1960

• Hinge:
  • Inside and not visible on cap: 1955 - 1958 is your date
  • Visible on cap: 1959 and Later - Go to A: 1
• A: 1: Cap
  • Smooth - no thumb ridges - 1959 is your date
  • Thumb ridges - 1960 is your date

B: 1961 and Later

• Chimney - "VU-LIGHTER by Scripto"
  • "by" is centered - 1961 is your date
  • "by" is to the left and "Inc." is added - 1962 and Later - go to B: 1
• B: 1: Fuel Tank
  • Base of the tank is solid: 1962 is your date
  • Hollow spaces in tank bottom: 1963 and Later - go to B: 2
• B: 2: Hinge
  • Single barrel hinge seems to "disappear" as it is rolled under the spring and less obvious: 1963 - 1966 is your date
  • Spring is split and only part is a hinge and the hinge is now obvious again: 1967-1969 is your date
  • Go to B: 3:
• B: 3: Lighter is 1970 or later. Characteristics 1970 onward:
  • 1970 and Later: Several hinge styles have been observed
  • 1970 and Later: A Belleville type locking washer is used on the fuel valve inside the tank
  • Circa 1970: The flange around the hole where the flint wheel assembly goes has a much narrower flange.
  • 1976: Snuffer is removed from the cap

Scripto quit producing flint & petrol Vu-Lighters in 1977

Photos by Frank Dutton

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