Mag Instrument introduced the Mini Maglite in 1984. At the time very few AA flashlights were in production because the light output was thought not to be effective. Maglite introduced the AA Mini Maglite that year and unlike their D and C Cell lines it was a success from the start. Maglite was already a well established brand and by 1984, based on serial numbers from that year, production was ramping up. As such it made marketing an AA light, especially a good quality one, that much easier.
These very early lights are easily identifiable as they have Mini Maglite stamped into the bezel and the stamping is filled in with white paint. This was only done until early 1985 and then laser etched bezels started. Shown below are a stamped bezel on the left along with a mid generation laser etched bezel and a current production laser etched bezel. I have a Mini Maglite Quick Dating Guide for those interested in the differences throughout the years.
The barrels were also much thicker on these models and the internal diameter was smaller so they do not accommodate an NiMH or NiCad batteries. These will only take older style thinner alkalines. In fact, in the mid 90s as AA batteries grew larger Maglite offered a free trade in program on these older lights where a new style light could be had for free by simply mailing in an older working light. This program, along with their age makes them very scarce today.
The light engine on these models does not have the typical "Do Not Remove" on it. The wording was added later even though the light is a very simple design and very easily repairable. One leg of the bulb connects to the positive (+) side of the battery and the other leg of the bulb connects to the negative (-) side of the battery through the body and tail spring. The connection is only broken, and the light turned off, when the head is screwed all the way down so as to depress the negative bulb terminal and break contact with the body of the light. However, the bulb terminals inside the light engine are very tiny and cannot be easily removed or replaced without being lost. Parts are not easily sourced and the whole light was intended to be inexpensive so this wording was added after 1985.
These first generation 1984 Mini Maglites are the rarest of all models because the productions numbers were the lowest and the lights are the oldest. As with most other Maglites many owners left the lights stored for years with alkalines inside and then disposed of the light when the batteries leaked. Good condition lights from these years are very hard to find and are desirable among collectors.
I was lucky enough to find one of these very early 1984 models still NIB. Up until I found this light I was uncertain of what the original packaging looked like. As it turns out it carries the earliest Maglite logo and is a clamshell type package. The logo was switched in either late 1984 or early 1985 to the Horizon style logo. The light can also be seen with the stamped bezel and I've taken pictures of the back of the package as well. It is also pictured below with a well used 1984 Mini Maglite that was carried by a cop. It had the batteries changed frequently so it was free of battery corrosion. I can only imagine some of the stories it must have had.
There were more color variations than the D cells. The Mini Maglites almost look like a test run for future finishes to come. I've seen black, red, blue, silver, green, pink, camo, and two very special models: A bronze/tan finish was produced in a very small batch of special order lights for the Swiss retailer Zimmerman and these are exceptionally rare. Also, a gold light was produced as a limited edition. I have both and I've detailed them in this post below. Shown below are my more common but still very rare red, blue, silver, green, and camo standard finish first generation models. I do not own a pink unfortunately. I have only seen a couple for sale since I've been collecting.
The camo Mini came with bulbs when I purchased it and the silver Mini was NIB. The bulbs have the same rounded early logo as my NIB 1984 light. The silver Mini hast the later Horizon style logo on its packaging which was used up until 1992. The silver light is likely from early 1985 because it still has the stamped bezel but carries the newer logo on the package.
Maglite has a picture of a similar camo Mini Maglite on their website under the Mag History section. The white paint in the stamping is gone on mine because someone had a rubber anti-roll bezel installed for a very long time. Mine also has had the tail cap replaced with an aftermarket, Judco, plastic clicky switch. These Judco switches are now long out of productions and were a popular upgrade on early Mini Maglites.
Here's my NIB gold plated Mini Maglite. These are heavier than a regular Mini Maglite with batteries. They are not anodized aluminum but rather brass with gold plating so they are significantly heavier than the aluminum ones. The packaging puts it right at 1985 because after this Maglite started laser engraving the bezel and in 1984 Maglite used their older rounded style logo. From what I've heard is these were sold to high end stores around the holidays and were intended mostly as gifts. Another collector told me these originally retailed for $100 in 1985 which was a very large sum of money back then. (It still is for me!) These were also given out during President Bush's 1989 visit to the Maglite factory. This light came from another collector who has a far more extensive collection than me. These lights came in a velvet presentation box with a velvet sleeve and an outer cardboard box. It is very rare to find one of these complete especially with the box.
I also have an extremely rare Zimmermann Bronze. This is an example of one of the very first Special Order Finishes. These were made for a Swiss retailer named Zimmermann but unfortunately I have not been able to find out much information about them. I'm not certain if this was an order they placed or if it was something Maglite offered to stimulate European sales. I do know they were only sold in Switzerland for just a short time in 1984 and 1985. I've only ever seen 3 or 4 of them still around. Three additional special finishes were produced for them in the subsequent Maglite generation, Anthrazit (Gold), Weinrot (Maroon) and Braun (Brown). I don't have any of these but would love to own them someday as they are very rare as well. I have a picture below of my mint condition one along with a photo showing the color variation with silver and gold. The Zimmermann Bronze is in the center.
Other differences on these first generation lights are more subtle and include a machined aluminum bulb holder in the end cap and a more squared reflector. Also shown below are a first generation reflector and end cap on the left compared to a current generation reflector and end cap.
Because Mini Maglites don't have serial numbers they are difficult to date. However, there are only 5 different bezel styles and based on registered trademark dates it's not too difficult to group these bezel designs into date ranges. Please see my Mini Maglite Quick Dating Guide and in the meantime please enjoy a picture of my First Generation Mini Maglite Collection below.
As always I'm looking to buy Vari-Beams and Vintage/Rare Mags. Please let me know if you have any, top dollar paid.
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