Konifans, I was able to purchase your 2C from the ebay seller. I got her all fixed up and good as new. If you're interested in having it back please let me know. I'm more than happy to let it go for what I have into it which is probably about what you paid for it the first time around. Until then it's looking sharp with my #573 serial 5D and Lanyard ring end 2C. I've heard there was a blue Kel-lite also but this is the most colorful assortment I've ever seen.
The vintage California cop light company thread
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Can you show a gold tailcap pic Lift'd? I'm curious if it has the Kel-Lite logo or not. It looks like it's a bit more rounded than non logo'd ones.
The white slider is cool too. A lego with the white switch plate on a black barrel, gold ends.... stuff like that would be sweet too.
The white slider is cool too. A lego with the white switch plate on a black barrel, gold ends.... stuff like that would be sweet too.
Yessir, please see below. The first year of Kel-Lite production was 1968. 1968 and 1969 lights have no stamping on the tail cap and no serials. Serials started in 1971. That puts this light right at 1970.
Kel-Lite, like Maglite later on, produced gold finishes from time to time and sold them in small quantities. That's likely what this one is. It came from a company that specializes in estate sales so unfortunately I didn't get too much info with it.
Kel-Lite, like Maglite later on, produced gold finishes from time to time and sold them in small quantities. That's likely what this one is. It came from a company that specializes in estate sales so unfortunately I didn't get too much info with it.
konifans
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Thanks LiftdT4R. I think you should keep the light as you saved it. The machining of this version seems much better than the later ones, especially the tailcap which I think it might be produced by another supplier...
On my 4C I found myself bidding against Don Keller who wanted the tailcap, which is like the gold one shown.
He told me later that he stopped bidding when it hit +$35.
He told me later that he stopped bidding when it hit +$35.
Thanks!! If ya change your mind lemme know, she's all yours. The machining does feel better overall. It could just be that the tooling was new since the light is from so early in the the production run. The 1979 Maglites are like this too. Very sharp engraving and one of the best grips on any light I've ever felt. The rumor is that Maglite actually dulled down the grip because it was tearing up holsters and pants because it was too sharp and I believe it.
I think Don is mainly using the lights as parts lights because he gets a lot of inquiries to fix up old Kel-Lites. If a light has a good reflector I know he'll pay $40 - $50 for it because replacements reflectors are impossible to find. He's not really buying to collect though, he has mostly one of every model you can think of. He's asked me a couple times about restoring reflectors and I know I have to experiment a little more. The original reflectors were electroplated and that is not easy to duplicate. I've had luck with using aircraft stripper and polishing. While not the same as an electroplated it's 70% of the way there. I've been meaning to prime one and hit it with almost chrome. I have a buddy that restores vintage Hot Wheels and he's had super good luck with that method. It's a 95% match to the original reflectors.
I think Don is mainly using the lights as parts lights because he gets a lot of inquiries to fix up old Kel-Lites. If a light has a good reflector I know he'll pay $40 - $50 for it because replacements reflectors are impossible to find. He's not really buying to collect though, he has mostly one of every model you can think of. He's asked me a couple times about restoring reflectors and I know I have to experiment a little more. The original reflectors were electroplated and that is not easy to duplicate. I've had luck with using aircraft stripper and polishing. While not the same as an electroplated it's 70% of the way there. I've been meaning to prime one and hit it with almost chrome. I have a buddy that restores vintage Hot Wheels and he's had super good luck with that method. It's a 95% match to the original reflectors.
Any of you guys going to be bidding on the NIB very early Gemlite? I think I might. Gemlites were Kel-Lite knock offs, they were made by one of the 3rd part machine shops that produced Kel-Lite parts because Kel-Lite demand was so high and Don had a hard time filling orders. I have 1 but it's a later style.
This is the one that's for sale:
This is the one that's for sale:
Go for it.
konifans
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Go for it!
The switch looks like a Bianchi?
The switch looks like a Bianchi?
If you score it please show us the details.
Not price, but stuff like bulb holder, switch details etc.
Not price, but stuff like bulb holder, switch details etc.
You got it and I'm going for it. Unfortunately I don't have a Bianchi to compare it to. One of the few gaps in my collection. Anyway, I have a light, courtesy of Mr. Fixer, that has been my favorite for quite some time. Sometimes the best things really are free. It's a 6R and IIRC I traded Mr. Fixer for a resto on a 3D Vari-Beam. The batteries were sourced free from work, errrr uhh they were uhh a donation. The M60L I purchased with a C2 Centurion on the bay that I resold at a profit without the drop in so this light is as close to free as it gets. Amazing I use it all the time. The ~150 lumen output is actually too bright sometimes and it gets about a 2 hour run time on the 16340s. I like it so much so that I'm thinking about spending the coin on a M31LL or an M61NLL.
Also, did anyone see this "Brass Streamlight" on fleabay? It's a rare 3D camo for only $30. I'd pick it up if I didn't already have a 3D and 4C. These only come up once a year or two.
Also, did anyone see this "Brass Streamlight" on fleabay? It's a rare 3D camo for only $30. I'd pick it up if I didn't already have a 3D and 4C. These only come up once a year or two.
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Anybody see this "Hi-Lite" on the bay? It looks identical to the Gem-Lite I just purchased. Does anyone know anything about them? Looks to be a Kel-Lite knock off. It's stamped with what looks like a distributor's name, Herrett's Stocks Inc, Twin Falls, Idaho, on the side opposite Hi-Lite.
konifans
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A Vari-Beam 4C with serial number 40000002
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-4-C-V...53.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xvari+beam.TRS0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-4-C-V...53.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xvari+beam.TRS0
Bullzeyebill
Flashaholic
LiftdT4R, do you use the 6R tube. ?
Bill
Bill
Wow! That sold quick!!
Hey Bill, I don't. I never could find a good use for it. So I put it in my Surefire parts box. Do you know of any battery setups it would work with. It's pretty short so I'm guessing maybe 2 x 18500?
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Bullzeyebill
Flashaholic
Four MiMh 2/3A might work with P60 LA. 2x18500's would would not fit, 2x17500 might be ok.
Bill
Bill
konifans
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I got these ligths in NEW condition.... The Vari-Beam should be the most beautiful light I have. Can anyone tell me, that this blue color is same as the current blue Maglites? I do not have a blue Mag but from the photos I have seen in the internet, it seems that the blue Mags are darker than the Vari-Beam? I am thinking getting a blue and a silver mini-Mag, and swap their bezel caps and tail caps...to pretend a 2AA Vari-Beam...:naughty:
konifans
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"A Cutie For A Cutie"
2D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D, so missing a 3D..
I got the 4D and 5D in new condition.
ven
Flashaholic
Beautiful examples konifans, and an extra WOW to that blue/silver varibeam
More epic-epicness konifans.
The vare-beam blue is nowhere near close to the current blue being used by Maglite. Like sky blue versus cop uniform blue.
I think Lift'd could probably tell you when the vare-blue was ceased.
The vare-beam blue is nowhere near close to the current blue being used by Maglite. Like sky blue versus cop uniform blue.
I think Lift'd could probably tell you when the vare-blue was ceased.
