Restoration of a Vietnam War Zippo Lighter - Bong Son 68-69 Military Lighter

This time I´m restoring a Zippo Lighter from the Vietnam War Era.
Its engraved with:
VIETNAM - BONG SON 68-69
"When this marine dies he will go to heaven because he has spent his time in hell"
The lighter is in a bad condition. It looks like it was stored for many years on a moist place. One rivet is broken and the other one is rusty. The cap of the zippo is loose and the inside of the zippo is full of dirt and rust.
I hope you liked this restoration, if so, like, comment and subscribe ;)
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Music:
"Sao Meo Orchestral Mix" by Doug Maxwell/Zac Zinger
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[@alanbower1193]

I was a Marine in Vietnam from Sept 1966 to May of 1968 and I still have the Zippo I had engraved and carried over there and the darn thing still works just fine. I've only had to replace the wick once.

[@redeye6560]

Damn! Never used it much?

[@alex121429]

Isnt it hard and unreliable to have a zippo during war? Since the fuel keeps evaporating and you need to refill it? Just wondering

[@alanbower1193]

Not at all. Every base had a small PX where you could buy a can of lighter fluid. It would take up very little space in your pack. Also, push come to shove, if no fluid was available we would use gasoline as lighter fluid and it worked just fine. @@alex121429

[@alanbower1193]

Used it constantly. The hinge broke about twenty years ago so I sent it to Zippo. They fixed the hinge, put a new insert in and sent it back free of charge. Zippos have always had a lifetime guarantee. Don't use it much since I quit smoking but I still carry it with me wherever I go. @@redeye6560

[@j.m6334]

@@alex121429pretty sure those soldiers would use gasoline

[@beckham6282]

Nice restoration. I have my dad's Zippo lighter from Viet Nam, he served in 69-70, and I treasure it. The inscription reads, "AND THE LORD SAID LET THERE BE MARINES AND THE GATES OF HELL WERE OPENED." Semper Fi to all of our Marine vets out there. Thank you, and all of our Vets, for your sacrifice.

[@dmsvlcp]

Did every marine receive a Zippo as a gift or kind of special reward? I doubt it's part of a marines gear and wonder whats the background here.

[@beckham6282]

@@dmsvlcp I really wish I knew the answer to that. My dad wouldn't talk about his time there much. I looked at some of his pictures taken there. A lot of them I wasn't allowed to look at. He told us stories of the few funny times he had. I only found the lighter after he died. If you find out the answer I would love to know.

[@JosephN.]

@@beckham6282Hopefully I can provide some answer for you, it worked simply. Zippo began a long standing relationship with the American GI back in the 30s, they are simple, light and durable. They're water resistant, work in cold, work in heat, and run off gasoline if you hate yourself (GIs get unlimited gasoline for zippo fuel). By the time your father was in Vietnam, having a zippo was considered to be essential, non-standard issued kit. Soldiers need it to start fires easily, light a cigarette if needed or if times were hard, a light in the dark. There isn't exactly a long and complicated reason for this, zippos are affordable. Even today, a zippo is just 20 to 30 dollars. For soldiers who came home from their time in the service, things like zippos are safe memorials of their time over there, and since it wasn't issued equipment, they didn't have to hand it back over at the end of their tour.

[@manicmasterofmetal2620]

That video was absolutely perfect. The restoration with no annoying music or commentary, the perfect videography. The history lesson with the perfect backing music. Just perfect. Thank you for making this and all your videos. 10/10.

[@nickpye-finch3555]

So agree with your comments 👏

[@Brucey69]

It’s fake

[@badwolf8269]

Fake, 5:16 written freehand

[@GardenGuy1943]

You didn’t serve. You don’t know what flames do to a body. Nobody should be restoring this lighter. It should be put in the grave like my brothers were.

[@tasnimrahman7261]

Loved how you kept the little bumps and dips as a memento of its history

[@deollwirinholter3706]

A little light for every fallen soldier. Good job 👍

[@grahck4391]

Great job on the restoration! My dad served as a medic for an Army recon platoon during Vietnam. When I was little I was asked who my favorite superhero was, I said that I had a real life superhero at home, and he was my dad.

[@mohammedalmamari7494]

I like the writing on it "when this marine dies he will go to heaven because he has spent his time in hell"

[@yeezysandals7769]

I like that

[@aligat2311]

I don't think he will go to heaven. He invaded a land which is not his, and he killed innocent kids and women who were not involved in war. I hope he will go in the basement of hell

[@aadamsohawon1282]

@@aligat2311 facts

[@vietcuongnguyenle8530]

If he can go to his heaven after that, i hope our god can destroy his heaven

[@tuanminh9245]

@@aligat2311 Exactly ! He has committed so many crimes in our country! From : VietNamese

[@user-iu8fq9lp4j]

As a Veteran, not Viet Nam era, I appreciate and thank you for the care and respect you showed this restoration, and my brother Vets from that era.

[@pastfinderfrank]

My late father patrolled around Bong Son with the 7th Cav back in 1966 in Operation Masher-White Wing. Great job on the restoration!

[@badwolf8269]

I'm sorry but the Zippo in the video is fake

[@Larry_Mott]

@@badwolf8269 What do you base that on? As far as i can see it's a '68 Zippo

[@badwolf8269]

@@Larry_Mott I have an original Zippo from 1965, so I know how it is made, first of all the caseback is engraved, where to be printed, the container inside has a protrusion, the original is not there, check it yourself on the internet this information 1

[@badwolf8269]

@@Larry_Mott 5:16 written freehand

[@shrimpfry880]

​​​@@badwolf8269 it's weird that so few people notice it. i'm not a zippo expert (i'm daily driving one i got from my mom for my graduation) this amount of corrosion is irrealistic for something that's 60 years old. unless it's water damage in which case some parts must have been completely eroded. the case has a different insert with hand written writing, and only the top of the screw has been eroded, even though he literally pours a rust desert out of the flint holder. but i can forgive him that, since i enjoyed this video, the restoration was nice

[@abimmernut]

I still have my Zippo lighter that I bought in 1963, took it to Vietnam in April 68 & brought it home in Feb 70, still have the original box, engraved with my Name & dates in country & it still works great but I quite smoking about 3 years later. Semper Fi! USMC 3rd Marine Div. DaNang & Hue City.....

[@tonyjrdeets]

"when this marine dies he will go to heaven because he has spent his time in hell" literally haunting I hope he made it out alive, And I hope he didn't come back home with a circulatory system full of Agent Orange. This whole video literally gave me chills thank you This one was truly great.

[@lucky2knight]

My brother brought back a captured lighter from a Vietnam soldier. It had the map of Vietnam on the back.

[@bullwinklemoose8291]

Thank you for the video. I think this was an important restoration. Wise people have said that if we don't remember and learn lessons from human history, we're destined to repeat it. That's just as important now as it was 50 years ago. This restoration helps to remind us all what the Vietnam War was like for those that lived it.

[@crazyedo9979]

You are so right. Today it is even more important because in the past the mistakes sometimes were made the first time and could not have been avoided.

[@hoanghai780]

Cha tôi còn giữ lại một cây zippo cũng giống như vậy cảm ơn bạn tôi là người việt nam hello

[@dudareffvladimir6593]

Обычные в обиходе вещи , но с историей всегда притягивают к себе внимание и вызывают интерес. Все видео очень интересные , жаль только выходят редко. )))

[@ChiTran-zs2ej]

Они (солдаты США) использовали его, чтобы зажигать сигареты, зажигать лампы, сжигать дома, зажигать огнеметы. Это объекты, но они несут в себе уединение, очень уединение »

[@mariovbvb]

Tak jak żołnierze ZSRR w Afganistanie ...

[@alwinersfeld2759]

Top. So ein Vietnam Zippo habe Ich auch noch zu Hause. Müsste dringend überholt werden. 😊😊

[@pasblo39]

With this channel, you will discover that there is indeed a tool for everything

[@gabeblake679]

Tools, skill, details, patience, so perfect, he can nearly restore anything and everything, The Maestro....

[@richardhutchison3123]

Another precious keepsake restored to its former glory! Heaven hold a *special* place for those who do such kind deeds!

[@tittiesandpasta]

How refreshing. No music just the sound of the work.

[@jaceksliwczynski6387]

Restoration and filming is absolutely stunning. Thx for your work. Wow.

[@badwolf8269]

It’s fake

[@Zestypanda]

The comment is a shill account anyway.

[@gomezdrhotmailcom]

I can’t believe you got that insert working again. What an amazing restoration.

[@krestonosets68]

Feel sorry for the guys who were sent to Vietnam jungle and gone mad if ever survived. 50 years from now and what was it all about? The lighter is bitter artefact of the bitter episode of 20 century history.

[@QuickQuips]

I wonder what artifacts will come from Afghanistan...

[@mxmstrbl]

thank you for a really nice video. as my father served in Viet Nam this hit home. thanks again

[@jaymeseaston8117]

If I was 50 years younger, I would be looking to apprentice to a watch maker. Such precision. My father was a tool and die maker from 1940 to 1972 in the aero-space industry. He was the second person in the US to learn and master carbide cutting technologies. Worked on the Manhattan Project as a sub-contractor to Naval Research Laboratory producing the hemispheres nesting the fissionable materials; NASA and Rockwell on the Command Module hatch locking mechanisms- all in beryllium, critical temperature control and feed rates; so it is with deep appreciation that I watch your videos. Your production values are 99.8 of a 100- the same commitment. Thank You so much for reminding me of my father.

[@rodrigolumi]

This is when work becomes art! God give us all a special gift. Brother, I think you found yours. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@SreemoyTalukdar]

This is freaking unbelievable! What craftsmanship! And cool tools too!! UV glue!

[@laonong2051]

Thật tuyệt vời, tỷ mỷ từng chi tiết, phục chế một chiếc Zippo ký ức một thời.

[@Vlad_a450]

Excellent job! In the 90s, in the former USSR, there was an anecdote about people who quickly got rich. Such a nouveau riche walks into a grocery store. - What it is? - Apples. - I want 10 kilograms. Wrap each apple separately, please. - What it is? - It's dates. - I want 10 kilograms. Wrap each date separately. - What it is? - It's rice ... It's not for sale !!! I'm not sure you would understand such an anecdote. Especially after I saw you cleaning the wheel from the lighter! :-)

[@BCallum]

WOW. That was amazing getting that lighter resurrected. Kudos sir!!

[@michaellawrence6677]

I really love seeing you rebuild a simple tool like that and bring back a piece of history. Great job.

[@geeber8136]

The first time I've ever heard you, a sigh at the beginning. I sighed with u. Great work as always.

[@mikedkc]

One of the finest videos I have ever seen. Remarkable.

[@Masso1973]

Very interesting to see a watchmakers way of restoring a lighter. 👍

[@mikeparker3865]

Beat up and forgotten lighter. Much like the brave men and women who served in Vietnam. Thank you for your service. Peace be with you.

[@logangrey5398]

Delightfully incongruent video... A rusty lighter with everything inside it destroyed, in a pristine watchmaker's workshop... either the lighter doesn't belong there, or a watchmaker shouldn't be the one working on it... and yet the two aspects meet and work together beautifully! A zippo taken apart and put back together with tweezers and 1-millimeter punches... I was mesmerized and delighted, wonderful video and restoration, thank you!

[@ian7675]

I still have my Uncles lighter that he had in Vietnam, I even used it myself up until 10yrs ago when I quit smoking.

[@BREN2009]

Your work is absolutely amazing to watch 👏 love the old school parts cleaner quality built machine keep the amazing videos coming thank you

[@danrozz1]

very moving to join the lighter with oriental music, makes me think of those two worlds meeting. Amazing job

[@MrMadreko]

That Marine would never imagine that his Zippo will land on YT for a fully restoration. RIP man. Great job RDR! I think i would had coloured the letters and that soldier on the outside as well. 👍👍👏👏

[@ProjectRecon1]

Original owner probably died in the jungle out there

[@Iassonas65]

Ein wahnsins Job den Sie da abgeliefert haben. Dachte nie daß dieser Zippo nochmal zum Leben erweckt werden könnte. Welche Geschichte mag sich hinter demnZippo verbergen? Wir werden es nie erfahren, aber der Geist lebt weiter in ihm. Daumen hoch

[@doubtingthomas736]

Great video... just the sounds of the repair work.... no crappy, booming soundtrack! 👍

[@puronandie]

...Well balanced tribute to the veterans and dead soldiers with a great restoration of one of the most useful things that those braves had. The flame is still on. Thank you.

[@Williearmhole]

I absolutely love the small, adjustable, punch set used to remove the stuck flint.

[@FDNY8231]

Beautiful restoration .... After wiping my tears my thoughts are that hopefully this would be returned to the Marine who fought with it. Semper Fi .....

[@willyrobertlegendre4662]

I'm more impressed with all machines, tools and chemicals he's using for the work, than the actual result... (what is also impressive though)

[@arthurbelarittervonmuller9183]

Better an old toothbrush and work can be seen than this nonsensical display of equipment and chemistry

[@GodBroly]

Now that’s an authentically rusted piece thank you for having integrity

[@H66699]

it's not authentic bro

[@GodBroly]

@@H66699 it very much is

[@anwarulhaqqureshi]

Best ever restoration ever on KZbin, its not restoration its magic.. his fingers are so magical, this guy can easily beat big names like my mechanics, tsy, cool and that restore guy ...😎😎😎😎 If he says good bye to the world of watches..

[@4by4squared88]

Love what you did. It was absolutely beautiful and so so satisfying to watch. Thank you

[@adamdemartinis72]

I mean I got goosebumps just from the nostalgia of that piece

[@NCP668]

Extremely impression, Viet Nam,my blood and fire country 😢😢 Thank you so lot !!!!!!

[@hieuhathuc4617]

Great work! Respect from Viet Nam

[@sevenlayers7L]

Long time.. Missed theses.. Good to see you again.. Hope to see you soon!

[@titozanella7704]

You honoured those who lost their life in Vietnamese war. My deepest respect for your great job, and a pray for the bravest soldiers in the world

[@humanbeing1675]

Liebe zwar Uhren...Ich hab aber auch ein Zippo😉 War mal wieder eine Freude zuzuschauen!

[@judythomas2953]

If only his name were on it .. you could try to find the family. What a priceless gift you would give to them! ❤️

[@-Deena.]

A very moving restoration and a reminder to all of the horror of wars 🧡

[@Asad-2166]

And the same Zionist elite rulers USA Europe are still committing wars, fact every war in the 20th century 21st century are done by the west!

[@-Deena.]

@@Asad-2166 ..ok Vladolf. Wrong channel type.

[@whatifidownload]

"a little splash of rust remover should help" *bathes the whole thing in it*

[@earnierosenow9834]

impessive that you kept as much of the original lighter as possible, awesome preservation of this thing

[@malai72mavino72]

genius. I've just binge-watched all your videos...

[@andershallberg6668]

The restoration is quite immaculate, as always. But what I like most in this video is your fastideous camera movements and choice of backgrounds. You are show us that less is more.

[@mathiashls]

That´s what I call "extreme conditions", damn. Great work, bro! Now I´m learning more about lighters because of you lol

[@HoangVu8x]

Việt Nam chào các bạn Tôi cũng yêu Zippo Nó nhắc lại lịch sử

[@erics423]

you treated that lighter with great dignity and respest sir, that lighter has been to hell and back !!!!

[@mobydoux]

Your tools are as awesome as your restoration work.

[@oscar87171]

Outstanding work. You have a great work shop there. Fantastic equipment!!

[@mchristr]

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?" Love the finger cots. It adds the perfect touch.

[@geoffrey6000]

No one is a youtube restorer before restoring a zippo lighter

[@duccale987]

Bạn rất kỳ công phục hồi một chiếc hộp quẹt mà nó có ý nghĩa với mỗi người lính tham chiến tại Việt Nam.Và những dòng chữ khắc lên đó rất hay: khi tôi chết hãy chôn tôi úp mặt xuống đất để mọi người trên toàn thế giới hôn vào mông đít của tôi ".Cũng có một chiếc đã cứu mạng của mình khi anh ta bỏ vào túi áo trên ngực bị dính đạn lúc hành quân làm méo chíếc hộp quẹt zippo này.

[@slaunts9453]

You're soaking that zippo in a nice glass, and I'm over here drinking coffee out of a jar.

[@johncunningham5435]

I remember this type lighter, very durable, "Excellent restoration".

[@codonvanoinho]

I'm from Vietnam and I love your videos.

[@ChrisBates888]

This is the most perfect restoration I’ve seen. You are fantastic.

[@badwolf8269]

It’s fake

[@tapewaves2783]

@@badwolf8269how is it fake?

[@badwolf8269]

@@tapewaves2783 Stop the video at minute 5:16 and you will see that the writing is done by hand

[@RylanStorm]

I was about to say that the lighter wasn't worth saving. Then you uncovered that inscription and I thought about the soldier who would have used it and realised this had to be saved. I hope it ends up back with some marine who deserves it.

[@handleyjackson5490]

Do you ever get a reply from the original owner?

[@jerryj7432]

I have concluded. You sir are an expert.

[@damiencrowe714]

Love the little bondage finger jonnys

[@MisterTroglodyte]

I can practically smell that restored lighter.

[@83delgado]

Those finger gloves are awesome and funny.

[@23hublock1]

They freak me out, I can't watch this :(

[@alanmckinnon6791]

Nice restore! When I still smoked I had several Zippos but none were brass and none nice and shiny like this one ended up!

[@SergiRuiz_RelojeroTorpe]

Schön, Sie mit Ihren sehr hilfreichen und lehrreichen Videos wiederzusehen ...

[@kristoly86]

Please dont leave us like this again, its been too long! Good to see you back. Great video, but I would prefer a watch restoration to be completly honest

[@RedDeadRestoration]

I've just started the next watch restoration. You don't have to wait long 😉

[@kristoly86]

@@RedDeadRestoration nice!

[@sermole750]

@@kristoly86 well it's good to do something different sometimes

[@ZapDog43]

@@sermole750 I like this. Some of us are not good enough for watch repair but after this Red Dead restoration we could restore a Zippo as DIY with this kind of help

[@gregmikel3540]

@@ZapDog43

[@aethertech]

Meanwhile over at My Mechanics "I make a [whole lighter] new one."

[@0AuntJemima0]

I hate those channels deeply. Completely goes against the restoration mentality.

[@kiiiisu]

@@0AuntJemima0 its more like restomod, this is restoration just imo

[@loinguyenvan6540]

The durability of the Zippos really amazing

[@alvarozapata9475]

A job well done as you have us used to, I really like that you not only restore clocks, you should upload more videos restoring other things, Incredible.

[@traviswalker8933]

Been a while since you last posted and what a masterpiece.

[@michaeljamison8254]

Excellent. Very enjoyable and relaxing.

[@Sudteeraks]

ชอบจังค่ะ ดูแล้วอยากทำเป็นบ้าง เครื่องมือที่ใช้น่าสนใจมากๆๆๆๆๆ ขอบคุณสาระดีๆค่ะ สุดยอดเลยค่ะ

[@supersonique001]

A somber reminder ! Only the dead have seen the end of war!

[@elizabethl.1350]

This reminded me of my father’s Zippo. I have seen many similar to this one but with Soldier instead of Marine. Thank you for restoring it. Also, I’m envious of your tools. Not that I’d have a reason to use them, I just would love to have them!

[@PixelAspen]

You did an amazing job, great video.

[@Serch_truth.]

Brother great! It turns out that you not only restore watches, but also lighters!

[@yacineatroune]

Amazing restoration, true therapy. Thanks for the video

[@BeckVMH]

This was a treat to watch. Thanks so much. I love the pitting from the rust and gives illustration to its age and rough life lived. Appropriate.

[@roryobrien3289]

Thank you for this video, this lighter tells a million stories on its own. Would love to know the back story of how it came to you for restoration.

[@henkvandebeek7921]

Absolutely superb. The restoration was great and the video was even better

[@jareslam3621]

I enjoyed your video perfectly, too many emotions… thank you! From Vietnam. ❤️

[@hrishikeshindulkar2762]

This looks so satisfying to watch 👍

[@caseydodds4433]

It would be awesome to see the lighter returned to the original owner or a famliy member

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

I have wanted to see the inner workings of a Zippo. Turned out great.

[@david37445]

Great restoration job...and an outstanding tribute to warrior hero...Semper fi.

[@herrdeutschmann4602]

Vietnam War never Dies! In memory of the brave Soldiers!