Through some of my contacts from the early days of Maglite, online forums, and other collectors I am usually able to research out many of the unusual lights I come across. Every so often though I am stumped. I previously posted about a "mystery" self defense type light and now I have another light that is new in box, NIB, with a very unique serial number.
As can be seen in the photos above this light has a serial number of 60087325A. It is the only light I've ever seen with a letter at the end, in this case the A. Newer, panther, style lights have either a C or D at the front end of the serial but I've never seen any lights with a letter at the end. I'm certain it's not altered since it's NIB. The back of the package has a date of manufacture of November 1988. The rest of the features are correct for 1988 as per my D Cell Quick Dating Guide. The light has the correct R bezel and still has the extended grip. One problem exists though. The serial number would have been much higher in 1988, approximately between 190,000 and 300,000. 87,325 matches up with 1983 light and that date was confirmed when I e-mailed Mag Instrument with the serial number. A 1983 light would have had a different bezel, one with the TM next to Maglite because the Trade Mark was still pending.
When I inquired about this light to some of the folks I know I got back 2 theories but no one was certain on the origin of this light:
1. An early employee of Maglite vaguely remembered re-using the serial numbers of lights that came in with a warranty issue. The original light would have been scrapped and he said that Mag Instrument may have then re-issued the serial number except with an A suffix on a new production light. This would be similar to star currency. An American piece of currency that has a star after the serial denotes that the original bill was destroyed during the printing process due to an error. This theory makes sense to me because the lights would have been just about 5 years apart so it's likely in that 5 year period that a light could have come back under warranty. The fact that an A was used and that the serial numbers correspond to actual years are support as well.
2. This could have been an error that resulted from an incorrectly set up stamping machine. Maglite quality control is very very tight. There are only a handful of error lights I've seen or heard about and none of them involve the serial number. Even the ones I've seen have had very minor errors or defects in workmanship. It is possible though that the machine either exceeded it's limit and the numbering turned over or it was setup incorrectly resulting in this odd serial.
The original owner of this light purchased it directly from a mail order police supply in 1988 and kept it as a backup for the one he used regularly. He didn't remember any special paperwork coming with it and as far as he knew he purchased a run of the mill light. It wasn't until recently he noticed the A at the end of the serial and he contacted me through my blog. I was lucky enough to purchase this light and I told him if I ever came across any info I would be sure to send it his way. If you have any info or theories please feel free to contact me. My e-mail is on the right side of the page.
As always I'm looking to buy Vari-Beams and Vintage/Rare Mags. Please let me know if you have any, top dollar paid.
