WW1 truck lamps

[nz2]

More images of lamps

[Great War truck]

I have never seen one marked up RAF like that before. Very unusual. The WD ordered a new batch of lamps in 1922, so it is always possible that the RAF did ao at the same time. Very nice.

[sardinapilchardus]

 

 

 

In the front row in the middle are a pair of unknown make but with the gas generator integral.

 

 

Hello Major-General,

 

I noticed your mail over the weekend and the headlights that are in your photo are Lucas Lorilite's. ( lorry light!)

I have attached a photo of one that I have in the garage. It is in excellent condition inside and out and I was going to use it on my 1902 steam car as the central light but it is a bit heavy.

Have you managed to find any?

[Great War truck]

Thats a loveley lamp. Does it have any WD markings on it? Integral ones are quite rare and unusual and i have only seen a few. probably jolly expensive as well.

 

Tim

[Roy Larkin]

Being marked RAF puts a date as after 1918, however now the questions evolve as to its use when electric lighting for vehicles was becoming more the norm. Was it a hand lamp for security or similar rather than a vehicle lamp?

Doug

 

I'm not sure electric lighting on heavier vehicles was becoming more the norm in the early 1920s. There are plenty of instances where lights, especially tail lights, were blown out while driving resulting in no rear lights at all right up to the late 1920s. It's possible new lorries were fitted with electric lighting at extra cost but many built/refurbed up to the mid-20s were ex-WD. If they were for the RAF, ten they would have been for 'old stock' lorries, which would have lasted many years on lighter duties or as reserve. With the government struggling with war debt, much cheaper to replace oil lamps than electrify.

[sardinapilchardus]

Hello Tim,

 

Just saw your mail. No sorry no MOD markings on the lamp. It has a brass plate soldered on with the number 31 stamped in it; another plate with the design registration number cast in and "Consecutive number 10144F" stamped in. And of course there is the Lucas Lorilite plate.

 

Nick

[Richard Peskett]

Ref. reply no. 9, Lucas made 2 series of side lamps for commercial vehicles 1906/30s. For light vehicles there were the 720 series for spade mounting and with an option of finishes denoted by the last number ( e.g. 724 was all brass) . The heavier pattern, although the same external dimensions were of heavier gauge material and with fork mounting and came as 720DS and 722DS only, both black japanned with option of brass or plates parts ( e.g. chimney top & bezel etc.). An identical numbering system was used for the larger version, being 740DS & 742DS, these were often used as scuttle mounted and without headlights. All are handed ,this being the side of the opening door hinge and catch and wick adjuster. The 1931 catalogue price for 742DS with brass parts is £4.7s.6d per pair. I have never seen any of these actually stamped WD. As early as 1910 you could have an option of electrical attachment which screwed into the tell-tail eye in the back of the lamp hence making it dual, the bulb being almost mushroom like. By the mid 1920s many were fitted from new as this. The tail lamp which went with all of these is the 430 series, the 432 being japanned with brass parts. Miller certainly produced many acetylene headlamps ( not self contained) in 1924 all marked WD on the top. Motor Traction, December 1909 has extensive articles on lamps for 'Industrail Vehicles'.

Richard Peskett.

[Old Bill]

We picked up this Lucas 742 at Beaulieu a few years ago. It has the electric conversion socket screwed in the back and also WD stamped in it. It is intended that it will find a home on the Thornycroft eventually.

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

[scammell 7377]

We picked up this Lucas 742 at Beaulieu a few years ago. It has the electric conversion socket screwed in the back and also WD stamped in it. It is intended that it will find a home on the Thornycroft eventually.

 

Steve

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39513[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39512[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39514[/ATTACH]

steve are you looking for another one i have the matching one ie the hinge on the other side but it has a small red lens not the electric socket send me a message if your interested andy

[Richard Peskett]

Ref. post no. 33, You never stop learning in this game ! , I have now seen a Lucas 742 with WD stamped on it. The only thing is I think the front is from a lamp of the opposite hand as the bent flange at the top should be at the bottom and goes into a slot in the reservoir casing. These lamps with electric fittings were still being sold well into the 1930s as Maidstone Corporation had some double deck Crossley buses with them fitted new in 1933/4.

Richard Peskett.

[Old Bill]

You are right about the learning in this game, Richard. I hadn't spotted the reversed front door but it is obvious now! Mind you, there is no slot in the base to accept it so perhaps it came from a different lamp altogether. I will have to look more closely at another one although that might be a job for another day. I think we have our work cut out getting the Dennis ready for the time being!

 

Steve

[Great War truck]

Here is a rare pair of WD aluminum lamps:

 

 

 

 

In excellent condition too.

[Charawacky]

For those who have a need!

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250765821911&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

 

Tom

[DAN THE STEAM]

can anyone help date and identify if the stamping is original. Heres some pics of the lamp thanks dan

[Great War truck]

Here is another interesting P&H one. Any thoughts anybody:

 

 

 

[DAN THE STEAM]

Here is a lamp i have on my two foot gauge loco any one know what its off or its agethanks DAN AND JEN

[Tanker Wannabe]

There is a lamp on Ebay here in the states. Thought someone may be interested in it. Since I am just getting started in collecting kerosene lamp this caught my eye Believe it to be a tail light . Enjoy

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230781493595?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[lynx42 Rick Cove]

I have been looking for a set of lights for the 1916 Albion ever since I first got the old girl 40 years ago.I picked up these self generating Acetylene lights the other day. I rekon they will do just fine.

 

Does anyone know anything about the company who produced them, A-L in a 6 pointed star?

 

Now I have to make the light holders to suit.

 

Regards Rick

[Richard Farrant]

Does anyone know anything about the company who produced them, A-L in a 6 pointed star?

 

 

 

Hi Rick,

 

I reckon they were made by Allen-Liversidge Ltd, in England

 

regards, Richard

[Richard Peskett]

Allen-Liversidge were certainly major manufacturers of acetylene lighting for industrial and commercial use in the 1910/30 period including lighting for miners, factories, houses etc. I think I have only seen lamps for commercial vehicles and usually cast aluminium construction. There may be a family connection with Liversidge coachbuilders ( later Glover,Webb & Liversidge) of the Old Kent Road, London, they certainly built truck bodies for the 'A-L' organisation. Photograph herewith of a c.1920 Ford model 'T' .

 

Richard Peskett.

[Richard Farrant]

Allen-Liversidge were certainly major manufacturers of acetylene lighting for industrial and commercial use in the 1910/30 period including lighting for miners, factories, houses etc. I think I have only seen lamps for commercial vehicles and usually cast aluminium construction.

 

Richard Peskett.

 

Hi Richard,

I have a feeling the company became part of British Oxygen at a later date.

[lynx42 Rick Cove]

Wow, that was quick,Richard.P and Richard.F. I had no idea who A-L were and now I have photos of the company vehicles and will search the internet for more info.

 

Thanks for your quick response.

 

Rick.

[G506]

Last photo from WWI Napier's,

 

 

I've posted this on my Napier thread as well; would anyone recognise the make and model of headlight fitted to the front of the Napier in Portugal's photo?

 

I'm loving this thread by the way, very educational!

[Tony B]

The A-L lamps have a difrent piping system. Do they take gas from a tank? I'm wondering what Dissolved Acetelyne is. Do the self generating type work on a lump of carbide?

[Richard Peskett]

Acetylene lamps : generally either self contained ( as Ricks A - Ls are) or with a separate generator which would feed both or more lamps. ( tail lamps do exist but very unusual except on smaller motor cycle sets). Basic ingredients are calcium carbide and water ; the carbide is usually in the lower half and water is released onto it via an adjustable needle valve, this produces actelyne gas, within the lamp there is normally a fish-tail burner, the volume of which is measured in litres ( of gas burnt per hour). The calcium carbide is a gravel/aggregate like white/grey/black substance that once coming into contact with water turns to a whitish powder. The containers will have rubber seals and once the gas has started to be made and used the pressure self regulates the supply of water. An alternate system which is visible on the A - L Ford model 'T' picture is the cylinder of acetylene gas on the running board. More common in the USA one of the major producers sold under the 'Prestolite' name. You exchanged the cylinder when empty at your local agent. ( not very suitable for Western Front use !! ). Hope this is of help.

Richard Peskett.