Chris M.
Flashlight Enthusiast
...my first vintage flashlight!
I`m an avid collector of all kinds of new and old light bulbs, christmas lights and vintage electrical bits and pieces (plugs, outlets, switches, all that) but until recently my interest in torches was purely with the new kinds. I have no idea why vintage torches never caught my eye before, guess I just saw them (much as I still do now) as tools to be used, rather than museum pieces.
But, I feel the tides of change a-turning. Last week, this little gem caught my eye on ebay, it was very cheap and I couldn`t resist...
Produced by the Pifco company in the UK, in the 1950s and made of pressed steel and (presumably) brass, this is the Red-Dome. Adjustable up/down spot light on the front and a dome on top- either red with a blinker bulb for attracting attention (eg roadside repairs) or a clear with steady-burning bulb for an area flood (eg camping). A 4-position slide switch on the back operates it and although a little flickery now, what do you expect from a 50+ year old light? Takes a "996" type lantern battery (those big square ones with the 2 springs on top) and has a PR-base bulb in the spotlight, and screw-in bulb on top. Considering its age, the beam`s pretty good. Narrow, dimmer than the 3-D-cell Maglite I have here, but the beam is about on par (narrowest spot setting) which just goes to show how outdated the Mag reflector is now
.
Well, I see this as just the beginning. I already won a second auction for another Pifco light and although I don`t plan to start seriously collecting all kinds of vintage flashlights (I barely have enough space here as it is!), the odd one will join the "South Wales Museum of Electrical Lighting" (this room!) now and then, that`s for sure.
I`m an avid collector of all kinds of new and old light bulbs, christmas lights and vintage electrical bits and pieces (plugs, outlets, switches, all that) but until recently my interest in torches was purely with the new kinds. I have no idea why vintage torches never caught my eye before, guess I just saw them (much as I still do now) as tools to be used, rather than museum pieces.
But, I feel the tides of change a-turning. Last week, this little gem caught my eye on ebay, it was very cheap and I couldn`t resist...
Produced by the Pifco company in the UK, in the 1950s and made of pressed steel and (presumably) brass, this is the Red-Dome. Adjustable up/down spot light on the front and a dome on top- either red with a blinker bulb for attracting attention (eg roadside repairs) or a clear with steady-burning bulb for an area flood (eg camping). A 4-position slide switch on the back operates it and although a little flickery now, what do you expect from a 50+ year old light? Takes a "996" type lantern battery (those big square ones with the 2 springs on top) and has a PR-base bulb in the spotlight, and screw-in bulb on top. Considering its age, the beam`s pretty good. Narrow, dimmer than the 3-D-cell Maglite I have here, but the beam is about on par (narrowest spot setting) which just goes to show how outdated the Mag reflector is now
Well, I see this as just the beginning. I already won a second auction for another Pifco light and although I don`t plan to start seriously collecting all kinds of vintage flashlights (I barely have enough space here as it is!), the odd one will join the "South Wales Museum of Electrical Lighting" (this room!) now and then, that`s for sure.