SureFire Product History Thread

[RedLED]

880,

how about the special released Titanium Titan. Only 500 produced. I have been working posts to see where the other 499 are, #154 is safe in my safe.

Also can you look up the patents to see who holds the designs? From the old days that would be nice history for this project.

 

[tobrien]

880,

how about the special released Titanium Titan. Only 500 produced. I have been working posts to see where the other 499 are, #154 is safe in my safe.

Also can you look up the patents to see who holds the designs? From the old days that would be nice history for this project.

you can also search patents through Google patent search or the USPTO

 

[880arm]

880,

how about the special released Titanium Titan. Only 500 produced. I have been working posts to see where the other 499 are, #154 is safe in my safe.

Also can you look up the patents to see who holds the designs? From the old days that would be nice history for this project.

I wish I had one of those to add to your list! It seems like I have seen some information about the patents somewhere. I will add that to my "to do" list.

 

[cland72]

Here's one of PK's patents. Looks like a way to attach an A2 to a picatinny rail.

https://www.google.com/patents/US69...=0CF0Q6AEwCTgKahUKEwjs8ZH-0Y3HAhXUKYgKHfVRAYI

edit to add:

here is the patent for the Titan:

https://www.google.com/patents/US75...=0CFsQ6AEwCTgKahUKEwjU-reN043HAhVCOogKHQCdBG8

and the Hellfighter!
https://www.google.com/patents/US20...=0CF0Q6AEwCThGahUKEwjwzZnW1I3HAhVEW4gKHTgEA8E

 

[bykfixer]

WOW!!!
Thanks a million!

Ok, so after a month or so of scouring for photos of different 6p's, this thread has me thinking the 6, 6C and 6P classic were all completely round.

That leads me to think the "original" was when the anti-roll head was applied.

So from there I see photos with a "US Pat #" on one side with serial # on the the other. And some with serial number and "US Pat" on the same side. Left side if you set the bulb facing away from you.

The pair of new 6P originals I bought have "US Pat #" on one side (right) serial # on the other (left).
My point in this quandry is I just bought a used 6P with neither US Pat or serial number on the left side.


When it arrives I'll know what is on the right.

I guess I'm trying to pinpoint aprox when the light was made.
Does Sure Fire produce lights with varying logos within model years? Or would the lack of US Pat and serial # on the left side offer a clue when the light was made?

Edit: seller flaked. Never sent it. Yet here on 1/1/16 it's still for sale.

 

[Eric242]

SureFire 6Z CombatLight (Full Fact Sheet)

Light Information - SureFire 6Z CombatLight
​

Production Status	Discontinued. Replaced by the SureFire Z2
Voltage/Source	6V / 2 x Duracell DL123A Lithium Battery
Lamp Assembly	Standard: P60 Hi-Pressure Xenon (65 lumens) Optional: P61 Hi-Pressure Xenon (120 lumens)
Rated Runtime	With P60: 60 minutes With P61: 20 minutes
Body Construction	Aluminum
Body Finish	Type II Anodizing
Production Color	Black
Switch	Tail mounted. Press for momentary, twist for constant-on
Year(s)	1997 - 2001
Length	4.9 inches (124 mm)
Body Diameter	1.0 inch (25.4 mm)
Bezel Diameter	1.245 inches (31.6 mm)
Weight	5.0 ounces (142 grams)
MSRP

​

Hi 880arm,

I am selling a 6Z and just now realized the user manual says "Revision N/C 10-24-94". Could be a taken over from an earlier 6P manual, could be typo (early SF manuals were not the very best) but it could also mean that these were indeed available from 1994 and not just from 1997 on?

​

Eric

EDIT: Here´s a pictures of the manual:

 

[880arm]

. . . Ok, so after a month or so of scouring for photos of different 6p's, this thread has me thinking the 6, 6C and 6P classic were all completely round.

That leads me to think the "original" was when the anti-roll head was applied . . .

That's pretty much how I understand it happened. Another qualifier is that the older "Classic" versions had the model name/number engraved on the tailcap and no engraving on the flashlight body. When the so-called "Original" versions came out, they brought the flattened sides and body engraving we're familiar with now.

Just to keep things interesting, there were some lights produced that had the "classic" bezel but with the "original" body. I don't know for sure but I suspect this was just a matter of using up the older style bezels that were inventory at the time.

. . . I guess I'm trying to pinpoint aprox when the light was made.
Does Sure Fire produce lights with varying logos within model years? Or would the lack of US Pat and serial # on the left side offer a clue when the light was made?

The placement of patent and serial number info moves around sometimes but I don't think it has always been tied to a particular year of production. It's been my experience that SureFire doesn't think in terms of "model years" like many of us do and most assignments of age or vintage (e.g. Gen 1, Gen 2, etc.) come from us enthusiasts. There have been cases in the past where parts of different generations (sometimes as defined by enthusiasts) have been mixed.

The logo itself can give some general clues to the production timeframe as there have been at least three variations of it through the years.

Hi 880arm,

I am selling a 6Z and just now realized the user manual says "Revision N/C 10-24-94". Could be a taken over from an earlier 6P manual, could be typo (early SF manuals were not the very best) but it could also mean that these were indeed available from 1994 and not just from 1997 on?

​

Eric

EDIT: Here´s a pictures of the manual:

That's some neat information there, thank you for sharing! The 1997 date I used came from a timeline that was published on page 5 of the 2010 SureFire catalog. Now you have me wondering which one is correct! :thinking:

 

[Eric242]

Hm, in the timeline they picture the 6Z version with the longer "thinner" part of the body (between the bezel and the grip-rings) and the smooth bezel. Maybe 1997 is when they changed the design of the 6Z and mixed it up in the timeline. The 6Z is also in their 1996 catalogue but we all know it doesn´t necessarily mean it was indeed available in 1996. Personaly I am leaning towards 1994 but who knows, the manual could be wrong.

Eric

 

[bykfixer]

Thanks 880.

Yeah I see the logo was once a sorta cross hair thing I suppose like a laser. And the modern one seems to be a sorta swoop of a circle with an outline. The pic of the one I bought looks like a solid swoop.

I'll scour the internet to see if the solid vs outline logo was an indication.

Again, thanks.

Mike

 

[Str8stroke]

Here's one of PK's patents. Looks like a way to attach an A2 to a picatinny rail.
https://www.google.com/patents/US69...=0CF0Q6AEwCTgKahUKEwjs8ZH-0Y3HAhXUKYgKHfVRAYI
edit to add:
here is the patent for the Titan:
https://www.google.com/patents/US75...=0CFsQ6AEwCTgKahUKEwjU-reN043HAhVCOogKHQCdBG8
and the Hellfighter!
https://www.google.com/patents/US20...=0CF0Q6AEwCThGahUKEwjwzZnW1I3HAhVEW4gKHTgEA8E

I would be cool to be able to attach the A2 with Red to the top of the Hellfighter handle. Totally cool EDC!

I wish they made that A2 mount. The A2 gets the most use around my house.

 

[alx21]

Very interesting! Thanks alot

 

[gsr]

Has anyone here been to the SureFire web site recently and noticed a lot of products are no longer listed? The 6P is gone, along with the Minimus, the 2211 without the Luminox watch, all helmet lights, and many more.

 

[sgt253]

WOW! They were there yesterday when I was on it....What's going on I wonder?

 

[NoNotAgain]

If you look at Surefire's site, they've dropped all of the Incan lights. That's why the market is flooded with 6P's right now.

Picking up a complete 6P if for nothing else but the body for a bored project is a pretty good deal.

As for the wrist light, the 2211 light is listed as for sale. It believe the cost is $169.

Helmet light page shows under construction.

 

[Str8stroke]

They usually have a Closeout Sale at years end. I noticed their specials page is also down today. So I guess they could be preparing for that sale. A note of interest. I noticed they ran a "up to 50% off" sale over the last month or so. They also now have a 15% email sign up discount, as apposed to 10%. So I am guessing they are changing things up a little. I am curious to see if they run their normal year end clearance sale. A few years back, the sale was so busy, their server froze for several minutes.

 

[H.J.M.]

Did Surefire drop the outdoorsman series too?
Dang. I gotta pay more attention to these things.. Switching fast is not something they do often. Or I'm used to.


H.J.M.

 

[bykfixer]

Here's some 09 6P vs 015.
I just received some 6P lights from a surplus sale. Batteries expire in 9/2019 so I presume the lights were made in 2009...or there abouts. The 015 light was purchased as new stock in July or August 015. Batteries expire 4/2025.

Hope this helps somebody someday....

^^ 09 supplied batteries


^^ 015 supplied batteries



^^ 09 logo
Note the italics


^^015 logo
Note word not italicized


^^09 tail cap
The words SureFire USA are not on 015 tail caps.

 

[Pilotodude]

Here's a photo of my original duty issued in late 1990, early 1991 Sure Fire 6, using the lithium 123 cells.

25 years later, it still runs on the original bulb and original push button.

 

[Triburst1]

Very cool thread. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

 

[norac]

Hi,

I was told that some of you might be interested in an Overview of Surefire Lanyards. I have compiled this information from the catalogs of Surefire and from their internet site (current / Wayback machine). The list most likely contains errors, please correct them if you spot them If this is not the right place, accept my apologies and please move it to an adequate place.

Z12 Lanyard Ring	0.8"(?) Steel Ring for Bezel	0.8"(?) Steel Ring for Bezel
Z25 Lanyard Ring	Steel Ring for Bezel
Z26 Lanyard Ring	1" Steel Ring for Tailcap	6P, 6R, 9P, G2
Z27 Lanyard Kit	Black 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, Carabiner
Z28 Lanyard Kit	OD 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, Polymer Snap Ring	A2, A2L, AZ2, Kroma, L1, L2
Z33 Lanyard Kit	Grey 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, 1" Steel Ring, Spare Rubber	6P, 9P, D2, D3, G2, G2Z, C2, C3, M2, M3, M4, Z2, Z3, L5, L6
Z34 Lanyard Kit	Grey 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, 1" & 0.8" Steel Ring	6P, 9P, D2, D3, G2, G2Z, C2, C3, M2, M3, M4, Z2, Z3
Z35 Lanyard Kit	Black 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, Steel Ring	8AX, 8NX, 8X
Z45 Lanyard Kit	Grey 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, 1" Steel Ring	6P, 3P, 6R, 6Z, 7Z, 8X, 9P, 9Z
Z50 Lanyard System	Grey 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner	E1e, E2e, E2o, L4 [2]
Z51 Lanyard M6	Grey 550 PCord, Carabiner	M6
Z60 Lanyard System	Grey 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Carabiner, Polymer Snap Ring	A2, A2L, AZ2, Kroma, L1, L2, E1e, E2e
	Yel. 550 PCord, 2 Cord Locks, 1 Cord Fastener, Y-Carabiner(?)	G3D-FYL [1]

Over the time, some details changed:

Late 80's / early 90's, Round body Surefire 6P, Z27: Cord Locks have no inscription, Matte, Big Rounded Holes, One Button; Carabiner is formed like #1 in below figure.
2006: Surefire L2, the Cord Locks are inscribed with "PROGRESCO TOOLS ALTADENA, B-LOK-4 CA PAT. 4288891", Glossy, Smaller rounded Rectangular Holes, One Button (same as the Lanyard on my 2001 Spares Carrier SC1). Carabiner is the newer form, #2.

The Cord Locks are available on line from the Manufacturer.

In General:
- 36" Length of PCord -> 18" Working Length
- Cord Locks: change from one Button to two Button Design
- Rounded Carabiner: change to Simplex Carabiner (sometimes w/o Splitring)
- Cord Fastener (End Piece) omitted
- Simplex Carabiner fixed to PCord,
Rounded Carabiner attached to Pocketclip via Splitring
Rounded Carabiner attached to Cordage, Splitring to Pocketclip
Y-Shaped Carabiner
- Split Rings black or silver (Z28)

Citations
[1] Only for two Stage Tailcaps: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ard-ring-on-G2&p=614319&viewfull=1#post614319
[2] Attach directly to the flashlight's pocket clip lanyard loop https://web.archive.org/web/2003121...xp/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/103/prrfnbr/834


It would be nice if the errors could be corrected and maybe to get a timeframe in which each Lanyard kit was used / changed; esp. with regard to the carabiners.



Sources:
- http://surefire.com
- https://web.archive.org/web/*/www.surefire.com
- Catalogs from 2002 until 2016