I have a Jno Brown cowl light marked Model 110. My question is there is a red reflector on the back side that looks original. Did they come from the factory that way or were the lights an accessory? Can a year be established on these. Thanks Sam
There are several versions of the Model 110. Used on the 1913-14 Model T's. I have read where some think the small red, multi-faceted, jewel is the earlier, 1913, model.
Verne Shirk
Wichita, KS
Thanks Verne, I was looking in Bruce McCalley book and he only shows Brown 100 and 105. The lights we have came from a 13 so what you said makes since.
I have the John Brown 110's on my July 1913 (1914 style) touring I drove last night. The little jewel is actually a small 3/4" lens only visible when the lamp is lit. However, with the lamp lit, you cannot see the red jewel from the driver seat or directly from the rear of the car. Not sure how much good that dot does but I try to have all the kerosene and gas lamps working like they should at night.
I clean the inside of the jewel with a cotton swab through the small hole in the inside back of the side light. Makes all the difference in brightness but you can only see the "red dot" from an angle off each side of the car.
Ken in Texas
If you want to figure it out, look at the late 1914 sidelights that have the bracket attached. If it doesn't have the jewel, that should answer your question.
I have a couple attached bracket John Brown 110's and they don't have the jewel just as you say. But I also have a set of spade mount 110's and they have no jewel on them either. That may be where the question was coming from.
I guess these plain back (no jewel) side lights came after the jeweled lamps and before the attached bracket. I don't know.
I believe I also have a JB 110 with a steel top, not brass. Seems like a number of variations from July 1913 through February/March 1915 for the John Brown 110's on the "1914 style" cars.
I don't have but a few lamps and they are hardly what could be called a full sample of the JB 110's.
When these different variations of lamps were used in production is probably difficult to determine.
We were just recently discussing the rare Victor round tail lamp thought to have been used only very early in 1913 production. It was astutely pointed out on a July 28, 1913, Ford factory new model photograph on a brand new 1914 style touring car. So much for early and so much for "1913 only" for that one!
Ken in Texas