The Ford Barn

Vern · 05-01-2023, 06:35 PM

I was changing out the drum taillights on my roadster with some better quality ones. The ones I took off have DUOLIGHT embossed into the drum, where the newer ones have raised letters.
Other than the obvious, what's the difference. I looked at the Judging Standards and didn't find anything.

31Tudor · 05-01-2023, 09:10 PM

Vern,
I did find in the exterior plating section, "the 1928-1929 rear lamp was a nickel plated drum shaped shell with DUOLIGHT stamped on the top. By that, the original one was stamped. Repro is probably raised.

Model "A" Fords · 05-02-2023, 06:45 AM

Vern,
The rear lamp body with the "recessed" letters "DUOLIGHT" or "DUOLAMP" (Either name) were the Canadian style. Yours are embossed (used a male and female punch and die to form the letters). The one with the raised letters is U.S. and is also embossed.
The Canadian ones could have a variety of either thin or thick letters. Some were just "indented" letters made with a male punch and no female die just like using a hand stamp hit with a hammer into the piece sitting on a flat surface.
I could be interested if you want to sell the Canadian one. If you do here is my email.
[email protected]

Gary Karr · 05-02-2023, 01:04 PM

I have heard that indented lettering drum tail lamps were Canadian. If so, why are there so many all the way down here in Southern California? My guess is that both types were made in the U.S. I am not aware of any of the reproduced drums with indented or engraved lettering.

Fullraceflathead · 05-02-2023, 01:26 PM

Mine has raised embossed letters on my ‘28 roadster pickup. Mine is supposed to be an authentic reproduction. I'm assuming that they made it accurate in every detail as it advertised. I believe I purchased it from Snyder's or Bratton’s about 15 years ago.

rackops · 05-02-2023, 02:57 PM

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This thread made me go and check mine. Sure enough - my Australian car has indented letters, whereas the light I bought for its lenses has raised letters. I never noticed until today!

Model "A" Fords · 05-02-2023, 06:29 PM

Gary Karr
[QUOTE] I have heard that indented lettering drum tail lamps were Canadian. If so, why are there so many all the way down here in Southern California? My guess is that both types were made in the U.S. I am not aware of any of the reproduced drums with indented or engraved lettering.

Gary I checked the judging standards and the Canadian section F-33 describes how Canadian manufactured cars were. The U.S. section doesn't mention either style so may have made both and why so many in California. I agree that recessed ones aren't reproduced so Canadian Cars use raised letters for replacements.

Fullraceflathead
[QUOTE]Mine has raised embossed letters on my ‘28 roadster pickup. Mine is supposed to be an authentic reproduction. I'm assuming that they made it accurate in every detail as it advertised. I believe I purchased it from Snyder's or Bratton’s about 15 years ago.

I have learned that "authentic reproduction" doesn't necessarily mean they are correct. "authentic reproduction" valve caps don't hold air as original Schraders caps. A benefit if a valve leaked.

Most people aren't interested in fine point judging and are restoring beautiful looking cars using available reproduction parts from our dedicated dealers.

05-01-2023, 09:10 PM	#2
31Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 611	Re: Drum taillight differences Vern, I did find in the exterior plating section, "the 1928-1929 rear lamp was a nickel plated drum shaped shell with DUOLIGHT stamped on the top. By that, the original one was stamped. Repro is probably raised.

05-02-2023, 06:45 AM	#3
Model "A" Fords Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 260	Re: Drum taillight differences Vern, The rear lamp body with the "recessed" letters "DUOLIGHT" or "DUOLAMP" (Either name) were the Canadian style. Yours are embossed (used a male and female punch and die to form the letters). The one with the raised letters is U.S. and is also embossed. The Canadian ones could have a variety of either thin or thick letters. Some were just "indented" letters made with a male punch and no female die just like using a hand stamp hit with a hammer into the piece sitting on a flat surface. I could be interested if you want to sell the Canadian one. If you do here is my email. [email protected]

05-02-2023, 01:04 PM	#4
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,486	Re: Drum taillight differences I have heard that indented lettering drum tail lamps were Canadian. If so, why are there so many all the way down here in Southern California? My guess is that both types were made in the U.S. I am not aware of any of the reproduced drums with indented or engraved lettering.

05-02-2023, 01:26 PM	#5
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,176	Re: Drum taillight differences Mine has raised embossed letters on my ‘28 roadster pickup. Mine is supposed to be an authentic reproduction. I'm assuming that they made it accurate in every detail as it advertised. I believe I purchased it from Snyder's or Bratton’s about 15 years ago. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

05-02-2023, 06:29 PM	#7
Model "A" Fords Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 260	Re: Drum taillight differences Gary Karr [QUOTE] I have heard that indented lettering drum tail lamps were Canadian. If so, why are there so many all the way down here in Southern California? My guess is that both types were made in the U.S. I am not aware of any of the reproduced drums with indented or engraved lettering. Gary I checked the judging standards and the Canadian section F-33 describes how Canadian manufactured cars were. The U.S. section doesn't mention either style so may have made both and why so many in California. I agree that recessed ones aren't reproduced so Canadian Cars use raised letters for replacements. Fullraceflathead [QUOTE]Mine has raised embossed letters on my ‘28 roadster pickup. Mine is supposed to be an authentic reproduction. I'm assuming that they made it accurate in every detail as it advertised. I believe I purchased it from Snyder's or Bratton’s about 15 years ago. I have learned that "authentic reproduction" doesn't necessarily mean they are correct. "authentic reproduction" valve caps don't hold air as original Schraders caps. A benefit if a valve leaked. Most people aren't interested in fine point judging and are restoring beautiful looking cars using available reproduction parts from our dedicated dealers.