Circa 1950 (I think) flashlight found...

[mvyrmnd]

I was at one of my worksites the other day and noticed this flaghlight in a cupboard. The threads were completely seized, and there was no bulb, but from its size, it would be a 3D cell light. It was made in Sydney.

I wonder if there are any working examples getting around?

There's no glass in the front, and the reflector is formed into the body. It's all one piece.

Switch in the Off position

Switch in the On position. It's held in by the little button on the top. When you press the little button, the switch pops back out.

Upson "Topper", made by Celco, in Sydney

Sometimes it's nice to see where we all came from...

 

[Monocrom]

Hey, that's a cool find. Sounds like someone put it away, and it stayed there until you found it.

 

[Nocam]

That's pretty neat. It would be cool to see it modded steampunk style.

 

[mvyrmnd]

I wish it was mine to take. The site is owned by a local power company, and I'm sure that even in its current state, I'd likely get in trouble for taking it.

 

[DaveTheDude]

You can always ask if they would be willing to part with it. They might be open to the suggestion, especially if you are requesting it inorder to try and mod it back to life. Hey, if you don't ask, you don't get.

 

[Monocrom]

You can always ask if they would be willing to part with it. They might be open to the suggestion, especially if you are requesting it inorder to try and mod it back to life. Hey, if you don't ask, you don't get.

Yup, no harm in asking. It looks like an old, broken flashlight. They'll likely let you have it if you ask.

 

[hyperloop]

Yup, no harm in asking. It looks like an old, broken flashlight. They'll likely let you have it if you ask.

+1 on that, i was just going to suggest that you take it out of the cupboard and go to whoever is in charge and show it to them and ask if you can have it. Am pretty sure you are going to get a weird look for wanting a non-working, threads seized light

 

[1 what]

Hi Mvyrmnd,
Very cool!
I'd ask for custody of it as well.
I recently renovated another old light:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=245522
If you get this one and "do it up" don't forget to show us.
As a point of interest people who turn up thier eyes at my (modern) light collection love the couple of old ones I've modified:shrug:.

 

[lctorana]

It's the 3D version of the Upson "Topper", made by Celco in Sydney. The switch is superb, btw.

 

[mvyrmnd]

Updated first post with info, Thanks lctorana!

Now you've pointed it out, I can clearly see "Celco" printed on the switch housing

 

[mvyrmnd]

Just to bump this ancient thread: I'm now the owner of this light

I finally found someone who was willing to let me take it.

It's got batteries in it that have leaked everywhere, and expanded to the point where they're completely stuck in there. What's the best way to get them out?

 

[HotWire]

I've had luck using penetrating oil with the light standing on the head for a few days. Then thump the light (head up) on some soft wood. You might have to repeat this process several times. I've never had to drill out batteries, but I've been told that it can be done. You might keep picking at the mess with a long screwdriver as you add penetrating oil and thump the light. Cool light! I wish it were mine! You can buy glass lenses at flashlightlens.com. Measure carefully!

 

[LGT]

Nice find. It's a forefather to the lights we use today. Good luck getting it to operate in any fashion.

 

[mvyrmnd]

I've had luck using penetrating oil with the light standing on the head for a few days. Then thump the light (head up) on some soft wood. You might have to repeat this process several times. I've never had to drill out batteries, but I've been told that it can be done. You might keep picking at the mess with a long screwdriver as you add penetrating oil and thump the light. Cool light! I wish it were mine! You can buy glass lenses at flashlightlens.com. Measure carefully!

Thanks for the tips.

There's no facility for a lens. There never was one