MTFCA Forum

I go to this same swap meet every 3 months and see this same headlamp there every time. The owner doesn’t know what it fits, only that it’s “kerosene”. Was wondering if anybody could identify it.

I don't recognize the lamp or its top logo. However, I seriously doubt that it is "kerosene". It looks like a typical acetylene gas headlamp. They were manufactured by dozens of companies for hundreds of automobile manufacturers between 1900 and 1915, and some trucks to as late as 1930. The style of this one suggests it is from about 1910 give or take three years. Acetylene gas would have been supplied by either a Prestolite tank, or a carbide acetylene gas generator. Some headlamps, mostly earlier ones, had built in acetylene generators. Your one photo doesn't show enough to know what it may have.

I wanted to say "Velie" but couldn't find any with lights or logo like that. It is probably a standard manufacturer with a custom top for some "V" car. There weren't too many of them and fewer pictures on the net.
I hope someone can tell you.
Fun to see.
Rich
P.S. other views might be a clue to someone.

I was thinking Victor with special embossed bonnet. Guess it would be no different than the bonnets put on Ford lamps, same as many others just with the Ford logo bonnet.

I guess I should have gotten more pictures. I may go back tomorrow and get more pictures. There are never any T parts at this meet aside from a jack or something but a guy brought a whole trailer this time. I’m thinking of things I should have gotten. I got a firewall for my TT chassis and the other stuff for $50. In Canton, Texas if anyone is close to there. Mostly 1920’s parts, metal firewalls, front axles, hubs and misc.

Mark Gregush wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 08, 2022 8:26 pm

I was thinking Victor with special embossed bonnet. Guess it would be no different than the bonnets put on Ford lamps, same as many others just with the Ford logo bonnet.

Tend to agree, likely made by Victor, it’s one doesn’t have the wreath, but the stylized V seems similar.

Maybe it was made for a Velie?

I believe it's a Victer. They are not that scarce, I have two pair of them. I doubt that it is for velie as it is smaller than I would expect see on that large a car. I am going to put one pair on my 1911 Brush. It's not correct,but I only have one correct head lamp for brush.

I went back this morning and most everyone had left, so the headlight wasn’t there. I saw the man who had the T parts and he said he had sold the whole lot so I bought an old hand pump mosquito sprayer, a chop saw and went home.

I was browsing through Bring-a-Trailer this morning and found this 1905 Autocar Type X.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1905- ... -runabout/
It had headlamps that looked alike except for the bonnets. It seemed to answer the question of the "V". A bit late to help much but provides what I think is an answer.
Rich

Ok thanks. It’s a lamp for smaller companies that didn’t get their names stamped in the chimneys or aftermarket then I suppose. I went to that same swap meet this weekend and didn’t see that lamp. It’s been there several times so maybe he sold it or didn’t come. I saw 2 Model T parts this time, a 21” wooden wheel and a 1926 headlight. It’s a craps shoot but only 30 miles away.