Late 1920’s Lucas R40 MB31 brass headlight with ammeter & rear switch.
This brass headlamp had me puzzled. I don’t have all of the Lucas catalogues between 1925 and 1930, so I can’t check this headlamp against all catalogues.
It seems to be a mixture of the R40 model, which was also supplied for cars including the M-series MG’s. However, no 1920’s car that I know of has a switch at the rear and an ammeter.
Lucas seemed to vary their headlights around a few basic design elements:
- The dimension of the glass
- Switch (at rear or on top), or no switch.
- Ammeter (on top or at rear), or no ammeter
- Two side mounts or one base mount.
- The depth of the rim.
The MB series were supplied for motorcycles and had a single mount underneath.
The SS series were for motorcycles and had two side mounts.
The R series seem to be mostly for cars, although I have seen reference to them being used on larger capacity motorcycles.
This particular Lucas R40 MB31 brass headlight seems to have a mix of design elements. In the 1925 catalogue, Lucas refer to the Lucas King of the Road “electric projector” as they called them in 1925. They offered the MB31 which had a base mount, deep rim, a circular switch at the rear of the cone and glass diameter of 5-3/4″. They also offered the SS35 which had side mountings, a rear switch, no ammeter, a deep rim and glass diameter of 5-3/4″.
It’s interesting to note that the 1925 catalogue only shows two “electric projectors”, but they state that they offer 10 different versions. Perhaps this version is one of those that are not featured?
This lamp has a brass cone with R40 stamped in the usual place (on the underside and very close to the rim). I have to say that it may actually read R43 or R48. It’s difficult to read the last figure.
It has a deep rim, placing it earlier than the versions that I have seen from the 1930’s. There is an ammeter. (It does not work) and there is a Lucas switch at the rear. The external diameter of the rim is 7-1/2″. The visible glass diameter id 6″. It also has two bulb connections. One is for the main light and the other is for a sidelight.
Condition of the Lucas R40 MB31 brass headlight
It’s an original lamp that is still dirty. There is glass. The reflector has lost its mirror finish. I have no idea if the switch or light connections work and I am certain that the ammeter doesn’t work in its current state.
However…. when did you last see an original one of these? If you have a larger capacity pre-1930 motorcycle and you are looking for a Late 1920’s Lucas R40 MB31 brass headlight with ammeter & rear switch, this may be it.
The ammeter, reflector and glass can all readily be bought from a European supplier.
Other Lucas headlights
I have a variety of motorcycle headlights. Some are electric lights and some are the carbide acetylene lamps. View all lights and lamps here.
Buyer notes
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