2020 Discontinued C Cells

Summary: In early 2020 Maglite discontinued their incandescent C Cell line after 39 years of continuous manufacture.

Well, it seems after 39 years in production that at the beginning of 2020 Maglite has discontinued production of their classic, incandescent C Cell Line. Maglite has been thinning the C Cell line for quite some time as they have always been slow sellers. 7Cs were the first to go in 1989, 5Cs and 6Cs were next in 2003. The 2C, 3C, and 4C soldiered on for another 17 years but at long last they've been discontinued as well.

In light of the disappearance of these lights from Maglite's site I did what any collector would do, ordered one of each from Amazon. I was delighted that they still had a dozen or so in stock and they all turned out to be the new style, 2018 updated large logo, Maglite bezel. They also have the bi-pin bulb so it's nice to see Maglite modernized these and gave them a nice sendoff. The 2C serial number is ~7,400,000 , the 3C is ~2,800,000 and the 4C is ~1,600,000 so I'm surprised these actually haven't been discontinued sooner. D cell production of 2, 3 and 4 cell models surpassed those number in the late 80s and early 90s. It's still a higher yearly rate than the 5Cs, 6Cs, 7Cs, and 7Ds though. Shown below are the final run 2C, 3C, and 4C lights along with the comparison of the old and new Maglite logo on the bezel.

I received these lights during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic from Amazon Business Prime. The Amazon packaging like, the current times we are in, is very unique. On a positive note it is nice to see that a Maglite is still considered a special provision and its delivery is expedited. Maglites have been a go to supply during disaster relief for many years.

Anyway, in order to celebrate the end of C cell production I'd like to share a pic of some very special C cells from my collection. I am honored to be able to own these lights as they are some of the rarest Maglites I've come across.

From top to bottom they are:

Late 80s 6C with an end cap that incorporates an ASP baton
Early 80s 3C that my dad used for work
Early 2000s Lime Green 2C
1981 5C Vari-Beam
Mid 80s Prototype 3C
Late 80s Gold 2C
1982 7C, the first 7C in my collection that I acquired from a UK collector

For those still interested in a C cell, Maglite still produces a ML25 and ML50 line. The ML25IT can still be had in incandescent. In fact I purchased one last year, a 3 C cell. It's a great little light, it's almost like a giant Mini Maglite because it is twist on/off and has no push button switch. It is shown below with a 2C, 3C and  Mini Maglite for comparison. I don't own an ML50. They still have a push button switch but are all LEDs.

So long to a legend! I think that Maglite will likely slim down their other incandescent offerings soon as well. Despite the warm light they throw and their retro, familiar feel the efficiency and run times of LEDs has made them all but obsolete. I personally think that the 5D or 6D incans will likely be next.


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