I have an Eveready model 2604 2 D cell from the late 1920s it came today from ebay it works but the switch is stuck in the on mode. Fisheye lens, brass body I would like to post a photo but I am not sure how to do it yet. http://www.ebay.com/itm/200673783895?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Nice! I remember looking at that one.
I only have a couple and they are from roughly the 1960’s era I think. I’m not really collecting vintage lights as much as just finding a few that I think look “cool” and that I can actually use around the house.
How do you like the beam from the “fisheye” lens? How does it look compared to a flat lens flashlight from that same era? I understand that the lens is basically just an aspheric lens but incan bulbs aren’t close to a “point source” as are LED’s so I don’t imagine there is a lot of “throwing” going on but what is your impression of that type of lens on those flashlights?
Also post if you remember if you are able to unstick the switch. I haven’t run into the problem yet but I’ve been expecting it. Is it just a little rust?
That is my one and only vintage flashlight it was an impulse buy and I did buy it based on looks I am sure it was pretty hi tech for circa 1929. I have some kerosene railroad lanterns but that is another story. I am pleased with the beam on a white wall it looks like a mid focus setting but much dimmer pattern than one of my romisen led zoom lights it even has a "cree ring" at the outer edge. I will say it has little throw but I like the beam better than one of those mid 1960s flat lens jobs. so far so good i will try fresh batteries tomorrow and see what happens. The switch moves but maybe it is an internal short. For now off means unscrewing the tail cap. It feels pretty cool to hold a working 80 plus year old flashlight.
Very nice light. I would love to see that light in operation. Maybe a YouTube someday? I think it’s cool to have something that old that still works as intended. I’m kind of stuck on the looks of the 50s and 60s lights. That art deco light of gcbryans is great. My oldest and only old light is from 1965.
It’s good to know that the fisheye lens effect is. Thanks. I was wondering if it would be even worse than the flat lenses. Good to hear that it’s better.
I solve the ugly beam of the flat lenses by just diffusing them. The only thing that crossed my mind with the fisheye models is that you can’t stand them on their heads as I typically do with the others.
The fun thing about this particular aspect of the hobby is that many vintage flashlights are inexpensive so you don’t have to think about the money so much. You just have to make sure that you don’t end up with too many of them to ever be used 
I like the art deco period also, maybe I may look for something from that era also. I think my date may be a bit off... it might be 1925, for sure it is the oldest flashlight I ever had in my hand.
I went with the budget shipping so I have managed to keep this new hobby under $10 shipped so far at least, I hope I don't get carried away.
I set a limit of $15 including shipping. I even found one light for $.99 plus $1.88 shipping
In reality I think I would not spend more than $20 shipped for a vintage flashlight, or $25 shipped for a new LED light. My high limit on pocket knives is also about $15 with the vast majority under $10
I've got this "OX" from 1965 . . .
My oldest is from 1911, I believe.
Foy
I like that Foy! “Power Chief”! Nice!
[quote=Flashlight Foy]
I've got this "OX" from 1965 . . .
My oldest is from 1911, I believe.
I like that OX foy, very art deco style, looks older than a '65
Flashlight foy, my father has one like that! He has it on a shelf in his workshop and complains about there not being any batteries for it anymore, I don't know what battery size it is. Apparently it could be really old if your oldest is from 1911.
He also has one of these, swedish military around the 1950s: http://medium.tradera.com/825/131899825_1.jpg , those were supposed to be carried in a jacket button, hence the strap.
There are also a couple of old kerosene lights lying around that have reflectors and are protected against wind and bumps that could be considered flashlights but that is another retro discussion.... As for me, I don't have any old flashlights but I think any light with a light bulb seems really old and useless now..... And 10 years ago I would buy them. Even the Petzl headlamps with the humble round diodes seem like garbage now, 4 years ago I thought they made me go wooooaaaaaa..... Funny how things change quickly.
The funny thing is until recently I thought anything with a bulb was useless but after seeing Lang’s original post and after getting a retro light I now like them!
I only like them because I don’t have to use them all the time however! A retro light with a diffused beam (ugly otherwise) is a nice warm light for walking around the house/yard at night.
…and of course it’s just fun! I also like the fact that a cool looking retro light has a side switch with a momentary button. I don’t get this even with more expensive modern lights.
I have an old Dietz kerosene shrouded lantern with a parabolic reflector it was used on the railroads in the steam era by "wheel knockers" to check railroad car wheel bearings. Like you said that's another story.
I think owning a vintage light gives perspective to the LED flashlights we own, also some of the design ideas are not new, but have been around since the start. Imagine pulling a "high tech" D cell flashlight out of in 1915 when everyone else was still using kerosene lanterns