Vintage Zippo Lighter USS Barbel SS580 Sub (Damaged) . FLU4734

Vintage Zippo Lighter (Damaged, the lid small plate that attaches the hinge has come loose from bottom section, needs to be repaired). However, has nice engraving on one side to: Tom McLaughlin ICFN (SS) USS Barbell SS580. On other side is USN insignia. Zippo marked on base: Bradford, PA Zippo Pat. 2517191 (circa 1950-1957). Need repair or restoration, however, can be used as display piece of engraved lighter to US Submarine SS580.

Additional Notes: The USS Barbel (SS-580) was the lead ship of her class of submarines in the US Navy. She was the second Navy ship named for the barbel, a cyprinoid fish, commonly called a minnow or carp. The contract to build Barbel was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine in August of 1955 and her keel was laid down in May of 1956. She was launched in July of 1958 and commissioned in January of 1959, with Lieutenant Commander Ord Kimzey, Jr., in command. In 1966 Barbel accidentally rammed and sank North Vietnam’s largest freighter while trying to determine what type of war-related cargo it was carrying. Although damaged, Barbel was able to remain submerged and return to port for repairs.

See Additional Information for shipping dimensions.