Paul McQueen Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Any idea what this is from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Dunno but it's cool. Are you sure it's auto? Looks like maybe from ceiling light. There appears to be something molded in the rim (upper right of picture) - manufacturer name or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) If it is automotive it is one of the many accessory lens's sold in the early 1920's . Almost certainly not O.E.M. for a specific make and model. And usually not much value except as a curiosity. Greg in Canada Edited September 29, 2019 by 1912Staver (see edit history) 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 See what’s printed into the glass, especially a size in inches. That will help narrow down the application. Good chance the manufacturer’s name is on it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 5 hours ago, 1912Staver said: If it is automotive it is one of the many accessory lens's sold in the early 1920's . Almost certainly not O.E.M. for a specific make and model. It is indeed an aftermarket lens for a vehicle headlamp. There were many flower-like patterns. A lot of them have turned purple over the years due to the chemicals used to make them.... maybe lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 It could also be a dome light in a larger (as in 7-passenger) closed car. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) That would make one huge dome light. I used to have some similar items that came with early auto headlamps. Edited September 30, 2019 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McQueen Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 All the better to see who you’re with... sorry, couldn’t resist. Thank you you for all the replies. There are no markings on the lens at all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 8 hours ago, keiser31 said: It is indeed an aftermarket lens for a vehicle headlamp. There were many flower-like patterns. A lot of them have turned purple over the years due to the chemicals used to make them.... maybe lead. How well does it work? Seems like it would diffuse the light quite a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 11 hours ago, keiser31 said: That would make one huge dome light. I used to have some similar items that came with early auto headlamps. As I stated, a full size car with a larger interior where that amount light would be needed to illuminate it at night. Assuming the nickel or chrome frame around it would cover an inch of it all around, 7" diameter may not be out of line for a ceiling-mounted dome light; especially in a coach-built car where it would have been a 'decorative' item in addition to being functional. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 I have seen similar patterns on a few car headlights. this is about the size for a Saxson, Hudson, or many of the smaller cars. Fords had 7" openings in their headlights. The size would be something like 8 1/8" X 7" I have never seen a 7 inch dome light, most are under 3 1/2" and frosted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 3 hours ago, 8E45E said: As I stated, a full size car with a larger interior where that amount light would be needed to illuminate it at night. Assuming the nickel or chrome frame around it would cover an inch of it all around, 7" diameter may not be out of line for a ceiling-mounted dome light; especially in a coach-built car where it would have been a 'decorative' item in addition to being functional. Craig I have a 143 inch wheelbase Pierce Arrow, doesn't get much bigger or more high end than that, and the dome light is nowhere near that size. Never seen a dome light that size in any full sized classic, either. But you're right, something that big would definitely light up the entire passenger compartment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 This site has a similar lens, but describes it as a motorcycle lens....http://www.oldcarlenses.com/specialty.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 The few flat automotive lenses like this I have found had maker information and size molded into the glass. Without that info the Lens might be from a non automotive item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 2 hours ago, zepher said: I have a 143 inch wheelbase Pierce Arrow, doesn't get much bigger or more high end than that, and the dome light is nowhere near that size. Never seen a dome light that size in any full sized classic, either. But you're right, something that big would definitely light up the entire passenger compartment. Thanks! I was hoping an owner of such a beast would come forth and inform me if I was out of line in my thought or not. Craig 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WDS Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 This lens appears to be an automotive accessory lens of the late teens or very early 1920's most likely made by Morelight or one of their competitors.Judging from the size shown in the photo,it would have been used on a smaller car like a Ford Model T or Chevrolet 490.These lenses were being sold to replace the plate glass lenses in automobile headlights which ad become illegal in many jurisdictions due to antiglare laws. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Here is some lens info that might be helpful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old car fan Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Not sure it a acssesery,we have a 15 Davis,with similar lenses,never touched Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Here you go. These are the same and on a 1920 Model T Ford.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McQueen Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 That’s it! I did wonder because the GGUncle that this came from was a Model A/T Mechanic. Lots of Model A - Ford - Tools. Thank you for you help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 They are still aftermarket lenses and not "Ford" made items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McQueen Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 What sort of value would there be? Realizing that it is only one and someone has to want to buy it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 I have seen them go from $5.00 up to $20.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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