C Cell Colors

Summary: C cell colors are very rare because C cells did not sell as well. I do have a few different finishes and they are shown below including one rare special order finish.

C cell colors are pretty rare. As I've detailed in earlier posts C cells have traditionally been fairly slow sellers compared to D cells. As such, Mag Instrument has not put as much effort into marketing of the C cells. This is a bonus for collectors like me because these lights are rarer and tougher to find! I have a handful of C cell finishes and I've seen of heard a couple more so I'll share all of the info I have.

The lights at the left are the earliest C cells, both TM and R bezels from 1982 to 1989. The 2 center lights are transitional lights from 1990 and 1991 and the 3 lights at the far right are Panther bezels from 1992 on as detailed in my C Cell Quick Dating Guide.

I've covered some of these lights before. The early C cells are extremely rare in anything other than black. The silver 3C I think is a prototype light due to its odd end cap. The blue 4C is mentioned on an early Maglite insert and I've covered it under my Personalized Lights post. I've covered the gold 2C too and as with other full sized gold lights it was likely done for a commemoration or special occasion.

The transitional C cells I haven't covered. Both came from large lots of Maglites I purchase either at estate sales, thrift shops, flea markets, Craigslist, Letgo or Flea-Bay. The transitional C cell lights have a laser etched bezel but without the Panther logo and they were produced in 1990 and 1991. Up until I found these lights I thought just a handful of early C cells were produced in some one off colors and then there weren't any C cell colors until Mags became very popular in the late 90s. Anyway, here's a pic of both of those lights. The dark green 3C is in great shape and the blue 3C has been well used.

I'd eventually like to have all of the finishes Mag has offered but for now I have a pretty small collection. So, what colors were C cells manufactured in? Well, I only know of colors on 2Cs, 3Cs and a few early 4Cs. I have seen or heard of the following but please feel free to contact me if you know of any others:

2C
Blue

Silver (1985, 1992+)

Red

Standard (Dark) Green (1990+)

Grey (1992+)

Purple (1992+)
Manufactured in both letter and non-letter serials

Lime Green
Special order finish
Manufactured in non-letter serial only, approximately 1999-2003

Gold
Only a handful manufactured

3C
Blue

Silver (1985, 1992+)

Grey (1992+)

Standard (Dark) Green (1990+)

4C
Blue (TM Bezel 1982 to 1986)


As always I'm looking to buy Vari-Beams and Vintage/Rare Mags. Please let me know if you have any, top dollar paid.