All About Pocket Knives

I bought this lighter and just kind of assumed the numbers under the name were the SSN, but there aren't enough digits there. Anyone know what those numbers are? This is from the mid 1960's. TY for all replies.

There are not enough digits for a social security number, but the military did not start using social security numbers for serial numbers until about 1970, depending on the branch. So maybe a serial number from before that switch.

just bob wrote: ↑Mon Dec 29, 2025 7:19 pm I bought this lighter and just kind of assumed the numbers under the name were the SSN, but there aren't enough digits there. Anyone know what those numbers are? This is from the mid 1960's. TY for all replies.

Bob this may not help you, dinadan is right about the time line of the change to ss#, I wish one of our fine old jarheads would see this. In the Army our service # was US or RA. Followed by 8 numbers. You might private message orvet ,treefarmer or Jerry for a more knowledgeable answer.

I shared this with my neighbor because his name is Bob (not JustBob) Guerrero too.
His service number was 7 digits just like this.

SwedgeHead wrote: ↑Wed Jan 07, 2026 4:24 pm I shared this with my neighbor because his name is Bob (not JustBob) Guerrero too.
His service number was 7 digits just like this.

Was he a marine?

My service # issued in 1964 was 204XXXX, 7 digits. Probably coincidental but my last issued M-14 also had 7 digits, 1334087, Sir!
Treefarmer

I know my father’s military number in the 1950’s (Navy) was 7 digits.

My service number was something like B76-47-72 when I first went in the Navy. Then by the time I finished boot camp and air traffic control school they were starting to use our SSN. I think mine changed in 1971 or 72.

Here's another one with 7-digit military ID #. It's dated 1966 by the date code on the bottom and 1967- 68 by the inscription on the back.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136936070936

My guess is the 67-68 were the years he was assigned to the unit Echo Hunters of the 1st Marine Division.

We had 7 digit service numbers in the Marine Corp. We changed the social security numbers around 1971, as I recall.