Headlight Year ?

[Caswell]

Can anyone confirm the year range of my headlights, pictures below.

[Kerry]

1917 and if it had a single contact globe fitting you can date it back to 1915/16

[TRDxB2]

Given the headlight focus screw being at the 12 o'clock position puts it as a 1915 to 1917 headlight (round lens glass). If the screw were at the 9 o'clock position it would be 1917 to1925 (H lens). There are also some differences in the neck that bolts to the fender bracket. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/375833.html

[Steve Jelf]

...if it had a single contact globe fitting you can date it back to 1915/16.

On my 1915 current comes from the magneto to the left headlamp, enters one contact, exits the other contact and goes to the right headlamp and enters one contact there, exits the other contact, and goes to ground at the radiator stud. The bulb bases are not part of the circuit. Are my lights wrong? I cheat and use straight headlight plugs, not the correct $50 bent ones, but both types are double contact.

[Kerry]

Stev, my mistake. I'm thinking Canadian, my 16 is right angled single thimbles, back in 1915-17 Canadian parts books we had a choice of 2 head light bulbs, a 6v or 9v. I assume the wiring like you say for mag will loose both lights if one blows.

[Steve Jelf]

I assume the wiring like you say for mag will loose both lights if one blows.

Yep, like old time Christmas tree lights. I carry spare bubs under the seat.

[TRDxB2]

...if it had a single contact globe fitting you can date it back to 1915/16.

On my 1915 current comes from the magneto to the left headlamp, enters one contact, exits the other contact and goes to the right headlamp and enters one contact there, exits the other contact, and goes to ground at the radiator stud. The bulb bases are not part of the circuit. Are my lights wrong? I cheat and use straight headlight plugs, not the correct $50 bent ones, but both types are double contact.
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No your okay, Magneto headlight bulbs are connected in series and the bulbs don't use the socket cylinder as a ground, so the last connection needs to be grounded. The 6 volt bulbs for battery wiring use the socket cylinder/headlight/fender support to frame for ground and are connected in parallel. Tail lights were single contact socket as ground. The Dual Bulb Headlights used a double contact on the headlight bucket but an internal wiring harness to split the connection - had to use a Modal A harness as an example. but the pictures are for a T

[Steve Jelf]

I was pretty sure I had it right, but it doesn't hurt to check.

[Kerry]

Digging a little deeper in the difference from USA and Canada, 2 out of the 3 wires are longer on the Canadian by 3" and 2" and the complete stork light assembly part numbers are USA 6511X and Canadian is 6511-1/2, we also have the fork mounted as well.
The bulb numbers USA 6572X and Canada 6572X and 6572-1/2.

[Caswell]

In regard to year, headlights have J.W.B.M.Co. COL.O.U.S.A.-No 520 Pat April 14-1914 around socket, bulb = 9v with what looks like flames on a lamp on side, round lens with small tabs in rim.

[Erik Johnson]

Your lamps are John Brown and correct for 1915 through 1917 model year due to the location of the adjustment screw in the 12 o'clock position. The exception may be the earliest 1915 Fords which had slightly different and larger lamps. It's also possible that there was some carryover into the 1918 model year as far as the location of the adjustment screw is concerned.

My unrestored May 1917 roadster came with a pair of John Browns. However, the original owner had installed aftermarket nickel plated rims and aftermarket Hudson fluted lenses. The reflectors in the lamps are bad so they are sitting on the shelf. I currently have a pair of later Gray & Davis lamps on the car but I recently acquired another set of correct John Browns which I plan to put on the car.

My dad has a July 1917 touring (last month of the 1917 model year) that he acquired unrestored from the original owner. His touring is equipped with E & Js and the adjustment screws are also in the 12 o'clock position.

[Caswell]

How about this pair, no flat spot around socket. Top and middle pictures are same lamp 24 hours apart.