Front Headlamp (Headlight) Part 9

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In this Front Headlamp (Headlight) series, so far we have covered:

Part 1: Vintage Japanese bicycle headlamps
Part 2: Various mounting locations and hardware (brackets)
Part 3: Features typically found on headlamps before 1955
Part 4: Features typically found on headlamps after 1955
Part 5: Headlamps equipped with pilot lights, speedometer and odometer
Part 6: External/internal focus beam control
Part 7: Electrical cord weaving (chain stitch)
Part 8: Other types of headlamps besides the dynamo powered type

As mentioned in the previous post, in this installment we will take a look at the battery powered headlamp.

The interesting feature of these headlamps is that they were designed to be dual-purpose; both a headlamp and a flashlight (note the handle which allowed it to be a carried like a lantern).   In catalogs these headlamps are commonly referred to as "hand lamps". 

 

These hand lamps came with a mounting bracket that could easily be fitted to the handlebar bolt.

The lamp could also be fitted to the standard lamp bracket on the headset.
(See Part 2 for details pertaining to lamp brackets.)

There were two different types of battery compartments.
1.  Twin 1.5V battery compartment

Twin 1.5V batteries

2. Packaged dry cell battery compartment

Packaged dry cell battery

There were several manufacturers, among them National (today's Panasonic), Okada, Sanyo and Toshiba (Matsuda).
It is well-known in Japan that the first product bearing the National brand name was the "National Lamp" introduced in 1927.
The case was originally made of Bakelite materials and later metal.

Back cover:  Note the letter "M" with an arrow, the original National trademark dating back to 1920.

National

Okada

Sanyo

Toshiba (Matsuda)

In the next English post we shall take a look at dynamos (generators).