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Fulton MX991/U Flashlight

January 01, 1970

The MX-991/U Flashlight (aka GI Flashlight, Army flashlight, or Moonbeam[1]) from the TL-122 military flashlight series of 1937-1944 and is a development of the MX-99/U flashlight issued in 1963. In use since the Vietnam War, the MX-991/U has been made by various contractors over the years, including GT Price, Bright Star,[2] and Fulton Industries.[3] MX-991/U flashlights currently issued to the United States Army and United States Marines are produced by Fulton Industries.

A photograph showing two Fulton MX-991/U Flashlights, next to an unofficial reproduction and a standard angle-head flashlight.

Design and development edit

Just prior to World War II, a standard 90-degree battery-operated flashlight was adopted for the U.S. Army with the designation TL-122.[4] The TL-122 was itself a slightly altered version of the angle-head, brass-bodied Eveready Model No. 2694 Industrial flashlight and the No. 2697 Boy Scout flashlight, first introduced in 1927. The TL-122 used the same case as the Eveready No. 2697 with the “TL-122” designation stamped into the head instead of the BSA emblem. The flashlight body was painted Army olive drab and the lens, switch and battery caps were finished in black, but the TL-122 used the same #14 screw-base bulb as the BSA flashlight.

The TL-122 in its various forms was manufactured by various U.S., Italian, and British contractors for the US, British, Italian (post-WWII), and French armies. Four versions of the TL-122 were eventually developed, all utilizing exposed slider-type light switches (no switch guard):[4] During the 1950s, French armed forces (Forces Armées Françaises) issued its own version of the TL-122(D) supplied by a French contractor.

TL-122. Original model with #14 screw-base bulb based on the Eveready Model No. 2697. Manufacturer's name (Eveready, Niagara) stamped on base of housing.

TL-122-A. Introduced in 1939. Like the TL-122, the TL-122(A) used a housing made out of stamped brass (later changed to plastic after brass became a strategic material in the United States during WWII). Manufacture's name (Eveready, Niagara, USALite) stamped into base of housing. Olive drab painted housing with blackened metal screw caps over the lens and the base. Featuring improved waterproofing and a brighter PR-9 flange base bulb, the TL-122A entered service in 1939, and was designed to fit armored vehicle flashlight brackets.[3]

TL-122-B. First plastic (Bakelite) flashlight, issued September 1943, OD color. Manufacturer's name (Bright Star, Eveready, USALite, GITS, Micro-Lite) stamped on base of housing.

TL-122-C. Improved plastic, moisture-proof design featuring a sealed lens, battery cap and switch for near waterproof capability. Issued April 1944. Manufacturer's name (Bright Star, GITS, USA LITE) stamped on base of housing.

TL-122-D. Extended base containing lens filters in blue/red/clear plus spare bulb. Issued late in 1944.[3] Manufacturer's name (Niagara, Ray-O-Vac, USALite, G.E.C.) stamped on base of housing. The TL-122-D used a copper battery spring.

Approved as to design in 1960,[5] the MX-99/U was assigned the NSN stock number NSN 6230-00-264-8261 in January 1961. Service deployment commenced in quantity in 1963. First manufactured by GT Price, the MX99/U is a further development of the 1944 TL-122(D).[3] The new flashlight used a plastic housing incorporating a second lens ring with an extended base containing lens filters in blue, red, and clear, plus a spare bulb.[4] Like the TL-122, the MX-99/U utilizes two D-cell batteries (military BA-30), a standard PR type incandescent bulb, a belt/equipment clip, a tailcap lanyard ring, a multi-mode on/off/momentary (signaling) switch, and a tailcap with a storage compartment housing a spare bulb and multiple colored plastic lenses for signaling purposes.[3]

Changes to the MX-99/U flashlight over the TL-122(D) include an improved, high-impact plastic housing, a plated steel battery spring, improved gasketing (the "U" designation stands for "Underwater"),[4] and a lens reflector deeply into the lens shroud (to reduce light spillover).

During the Vietnam era, an improved model was introduced, the MX-991/U. This flashlight used the nomenclature "FLASHLIGHT: Electric, Portable and Hand Lighting Equipment, 2-cell, w/ lamp and lens filter, w/o batteries, Type I Class A (21108) MX991-U" retaining the identical NSN 6230-00-264-8261. There are some differences in markings among the various contractors for the MX-991/U. Most Fulton and GT Price-produced units bear the stamp "U.S." above the model number, while this marking is sometimes absent on flashlights produced by USALite and Bright Star.[4] In 1973, a change was made to the design using a switchguard to prevent accidental engagement of the on-off switch, and this modification was incorporated on MX-991/U flashlights produced since 1975.[6]

Features edit

The housing and screw-on components of the current MX-991/U flashlight are constructed from heat and corrosion resistant polypropylene and ABS plastic. The multi-mode switch on the military-specification MX-991/U is riveted to the plastic battery housing and is constructed of black-oxide brass. The switch features three settings: Off, Signal, and On. When the switch is set to Signal, the user is able to press and hold a button located just above the switch for momentary operation of the PR6 bulb. This allows users to signal using Morse code. When the switch is moved up to the On position, the flashlight remains on without any further user interaction. During heavy usage in the rainy season in Southeast Asia it was found that the flashlight's on-off switch could be moved into the 'on' position (thus draining the batteries) through contact with the soldier's personal equipment. Since 1973, MX-991/U flashlights have incorporated a switch guard to prevent accidental operation of the flashlight.[3][6]

The tailcap consists of two compartments. The first houses the stainless steel spring that retains the 2 'D' cell batteries inside the flashlight body. Under the spring, a small plastic component houses a spare PR6 incandescent flashlight bulb. The second part of the tailcap consists of a small compartment that houses five plastic accessory lenses.

The nosecap of the flashlight has an additional retainer ring that may be unscrewed, allowing a custom lens to be fitted. The flashlight contains five lenses in the tailcap, consisting of two red lenses, a blue lens, a white lens, and a diffuser lens (earlier models utilized three red lenses and omitted the blue and green lenses). This feature enables soldiers to send color-coded signals or to preserve night vision. As the flashlight's focus is non-adjustable, the accessory diffuser lens is intended to spread the light in a wide pattern instead of the standard spot beam.

Fulton currently manufactures the flashlight in varying color combinations, often to designate a special use or model. Most of these variants are available to the civilian market through Fulton or retail sources:

  • Olive Drab (military, US Army or US Marines)
  • ACU Digital Camouflage (US Army)
  • Yellow tailcap and nosecap with a black body (Industrial, explosion-proof)
  • White tailcap and nosecap with a teal body (Telecommunications)
  • Grey (military, US Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard)
  • Black (law enforcement use, military subcontract)
  • Khaki/tan (military, US Army, US Navy, or US Marines)
  • Woodland Camo (military, US Army, US Navy, or US Marines)

Copies edit

The MX-991/U has been widely copied over the years by various companies and nations including China (PRC), France, Great Britain, Italy, and Taiwan. A postwar version of the TL-122-B (with the temporary use button under the switch) and TL-122-D flashlight (without switch guard) was produced in quantity for the French Army (marked Fr for "FRANCE" with 2 small crossed flags featuring the letter T for Transmission) and remained in service until approximately 1990. Both used a switch attached with screws instead of the original's riveted design. Flashlights bearing the name TL-122 (but incorporating the modern deep-set lens and switchguard absent from the WWII original) have been produced in large numbers by manufacturers for the civilian market in recent years, along with no-name Asian-manufactured copies that utilize 'AA', 'C', and 'D' cells. Many of these copies use Phillips-head screws instead of rivets to attach the light switch to the battery housing.

While similar flashlights are often sold online, at military PX stores or surplus dealers, Fulton Industries is the only current U.S. military contractor for the MX-991/U and all GI-issue flashlights are currently marked "Fulton" and "MX-991/U".

Modifications edit

Original MX-991/U flashlights can also accept custom LED lamp of the proper voltage, which greatly extend the battery life and provide brighter light than the standard PR krypton incandescent bulb. Other improvements include battery adaptors to accept modern lithium-ion batteries such as the 18650 battery, custom glass lenses and new reflector designs to improve light throw.

References edit

  1. ^ Barbara Schading; Richard Schading (8 December 2006). A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Forces. Writer's Digest.
  2. ^ FlashlightMuseum.Com, Flashlights: Bright Star retrieved 8 Sept 2019
  3. ^ a b c d e f OliveDrab.com, Military Flashlight, retrieved 8 Sept 2019
  4. ^ a b c d e HardscrabbleFarm.com, Flashlights From 1917 to 2000, retrieved 8 Sept 2019
  5. ^ MIL-F-3747A, 23 February 1960
  6. ^ a b MIL-F-3747C, 05 October 1973

Further reading edit

  • Gordon Rottman (20 February 2013). US Army Long-Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965-71. Osprey Publishing. pp. 30–. ISBN 978-1-4728-0174-6.
  • US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment 2000-12. Osprey Publishing. 18 September 2012. pp. 49–. ISBN 978-1-84908-799-5.
  • Chris Evans (1 November 2013). Bloody Jungle: The War in Vietnam. Stackpole Books. pp. 68–. ISBN 978-0-8117-5269-5.
  • Gordon L. Rottman (2012). Tunnel Rat in Vietnam. Osprey Publishing. pp. 25–. ISBN 978-1-84908-783-4.
  • Gordon L. Rottman (2009). US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War. Osprey Publishing. pp. 50–. ISBN 978-1-84908-095-8.

External links edit

  • Product page at Fulton Industries

January 01, 1970
fulton, mx991, flashlight, flashlight, flashlight, army, flashlight, moonbeam, from, military, flashlight, series, 1937, 1944, development, flashlight, issued, 1963, since, vietnam, been, made, various, contractors, over, years, including, price, bright, star,. The MX 991 U Flashlight aka GI Flashlight Army flashlight or Moonbeam 1 from the TL 122 military flashlight series of 1937 1944 and is a development of the MX 99 U flashlight issued in 1963 In use since the Vietnam War the MX 991 U has been made by various contractors over the years including GT Price Bright Star 2 and Fulton Industries 3 MX 991 U flashlights currently issued to the United States Army and United States Marines are produced by Fulton Industries A photograph showing two Fulton MX 991 U Flashlights next to an unofficial reproduction and a standard angle head flashlight Contents 1 Design and development 2 Features 3 Copies 4 Modifications 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksDesign and development editJust prior to World War II a standard 90 degree battery operated flashlight was adopted for the U S Army with the designation TL 122 4 The TL 122 was itself a slightly altered version of the angle head brass bodied Eveready Model No 2694 Industrial flashlight and the No 2697 Boy Scout flashlight first introduced in 1927 The TL 122 used the same case as the Eveready No 2697 with the TL 122 designation stamped into the head instead of the BSA emblem The flashlight body was painted Army olive drab and the lens switch and battery caps were finished in black but the TL 122 used the same 14 screw base bulb as the BSA flashlight The TL 122 in its various forms was manufactured by various U S Italian and British contractors for the US British Italian post WWII and French armies Four versions of the TL 122 were eventually developed all utilizing exposed slider type light switches no switch guard 4 During the 1950s French armed forces Forces Armees Francaises issued its own version of the TL 122 D supplied by a French contractor TL 122 Original model with 14 screw base bulb based on the Eveready Model No 2697 Manufacturer s name Eveready Niagara stamped on base of housing TL 122 A Introduced in 1939 Like the TL 122 the TL 122 A used a housing made out of stamped brass later changed to plastic after brass became a strategic material in the United States during WWII Manufacture s name Eveready Niagara USALite stamped into base of housing Olive drab painted housing with blackened metal screw caps over the lens and the base Featuring improved waterproofing and a brighter PR 9 flange base bulb the TL 122A entered service in 1939 and was designed to fit armored vehicle flashlight brackets 3 TL 122 B First plastic Bakelite flashlight issued September 1943 OD color Manufacturer s name Bright Star Eveready USALite GITS Micro Lite stamped on base of housing TL 122 C Improved plastic moisture proof design featuring a sealed lens battery cap and switch for near waterproof capability Issued April 1944 Manufacturer s name Bright Star GITS USA LITE stamped on base of housing TL 122 D Extended base containing lens filters in blue red clear plus spare bulb Issued late in 1944 3 Manufacturer s name Niagara Ray O Vac USALite G E C stamped on base of housing The TL 122 D used a copper battery spring Approved as to design in 1960 5 the MX 99 U was assigned the NSN stock number NSN 6230 00 264 8261 in January 1961 Service deployment commenced in quantity in 1963 First manufactured by GT Price the MX99 U is a further development of the 1944 TL 122 D 3 The new flashlight used a plastic housing incorporating a second lens ring with an extended base containing lens filters in blue red and clear plus a spare bulb 4 Like the TL 122 the MX 99 U utilizes two D cell batteries military BA 30 a standard PR type incandescent bulb a belt equipment clip a tailcap lanyard ring a multi mode on off momentary signaling switch and a tailcap with a storage compartment housing a spare bulb and multiple colored plastic lenses for signaling purposes 3 Changes to the MX 99 U flashlight over the TL 122 D include an improved high impact plastic housing a plated steel battery spring improved gasketing the U designation stands for Underwater 4 and a lens reflector deeply into the lens shroud to reduce light spillover During the Vietnam era an improved model was introduced the MX 991 U This flashlight used the nomenclature FLASHLIGHT Electric Portable and Hand Lighting Equipment 2 cell w lamp and lens filter w o batteries Type I Class A 21108 MX991 U retaining the identical NSN 6230 00 264 8261 There are some differences in markings among the various contractors for the MX 991 U Most Fulton and GT Price produced units bear the stamp U S above the model number while this marking is sometimes absent on flashlights produced by USALite and Bright Star 4 In 1973 a change was made to the design using a switchguard to prevent accidental engagement of the on off switch and this modification was incorporated on MX 991 U flashlights produced since 1975 6 Features editThe housing and screw on components of the current MX 991 U flashlight are constructed from heat and corrosion resistant polypropylene and ABS plastic The multi mode switch on the military specification MX 991 U is riveted to the plastic battery housing and is constructed of black oxide brass The switch features three settings Off Signal and On When the switch is set to Signal the user is able to press and hold a button located just above the switch for momentary operation of the PR6 bulb This allows users to signal using Morse code When the switch is moved up to the On position the flashlight remains on without any further user interaction During heavy usage in the rainy season in Southeast Asia it was found that the flashlight s on off switch could be moved into the on position thus draining the batteries through contact with the soldier s personal equipment Since 1973 MX 991 U flashlights have incorporated a switch guard to prevent accidental operation of the flashlight 3 6 The tailcap consists of two compartments The first houses the stainless steel spring that retains the 2 D cell batteries inside the flashlight body Under the spring a small plastic component houses a spare PR6 incandescent flashlight bulb The second part of the tailcap consists of a small compartment that houses five plastic accessory lenses The nosecap of the flashlight has an additional retainer ring that may be unscrewed allowing a custom lens to be fitted The flashlight contains five lenses in the tailcap consisting of two red lenses a blue lens a white lens and a diffuser lens earlier models utilized three red lenses and omitted the blue and green lenses This feature enables soldiers to send color coded signals or to preserve night vision As the flashlight s focus is non adjustable the accessory diffuser lens is intended to spread the light in a wide pattern instead of the standard spot beam Fulton currently manufactures the flashlight in varying color combinations often to designate a special use or model Most of these variants are available to the civilian market through Fulton or retail sources Olive Drab military US Army or US Marines ACU Digital Camouflage US Army Yellow tailcap and nosecap with a black body Industrial explosion proof White tailcap and nosecap with a teal body Telecommunications Grey military US Air Force US Navy US Coast Guard Black law enforcement use military subcontract Khaki tan military US Army US Navy or US Marines Woodland Camo military US Army US Navy or US Marines Copies editThe MX 991 U has been widely copied over the years by various companies and nations including China PRC France Great Britain Italy and Taiwan A postwar version of the TL 122 B with the temporary use button under the switch and TL 122 D flashlight without switch guard was produced in quantity for the French Army marked Fr for FRANCE with 2 small crossed flags featuring the letter T for Transmission and remained in service until approximately 1990 Both used a switch attached with screws instead of the original s riveted design Flashlights bearing the name TL 122 but incorporating the modern deep set lens and switchguard absent from the WWII original have been produced in large numbers by manufacturers for the civilian market in recent years along with no name Asian manufactured copies that utilize AA C and D cells Many of these copies use Phillips head screws instead of rivets to attach the light switch to the battery housing While similar flashlights are often sold online at military PX stores or surplus dealers Fulton Industries is the only current U S military contractor for the MX 991 U and all GI issue flashlights are currently marked Fulton and MX 991 U Modifications editOriginal MX 991 U flashlights can also accept custom LED lamp of the proper voltage which greatly extend the battery life and provide brighter light than the standard PR krypton incandescent bulb Other improvements include battery adaptors to accept modern lithium ion batteries such as the 18650 battery custom glass lenses and new reflector designs to improve light throw References edit Barbara Schading Richard Schading 8 December 2006 A Civilian s Guide to the U S Military A comprehensive reference to the customs language and structure of the Armed Forces Writer s Digest FlashlightMuseum Com Flashlights Bright Star retrieved 8 Sept 2019 a b c d e f OliveDrab com Military Flashlight retrieved 8 Sept 2019 a b c d e HardscrabbleFarm com Flashlights From 1917 to 2000 retrieved 8 Sept 2019 MIL F 3747A 23 February 1960 a b MIL F 3747C 05 October 1973 http olive drab com od soldiers gear flashlight php Archived 2017 05 13 at the Wayback Machine http david brubakers us Vietnam index html http www vietnamgear com kit aspx kit 231Further reading editGordon Rottman 20 February 2013 US Army Long Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965 71 Osprey Publishing pp 30 ISBN 978 1 4728 0174 6 US Marine Infantry Combat Uniforms and Equipment 2000 12 Osprey Publishing 18 September 2012 pp 49 ISBN 978 1 84908 799 5 Chris Evans 1 November 2013 Bloody Jungle The War in Vietnam Stackpole Books pp 68 ISBN 978 0 8117 5269 5 Gordon L Rottman 2012 Tunnel Rat in Vietnam Osprey Publishing pp 25 ISBN 978 1 84908 783 4 Gordon L Rottman 2009 US Mechanized Infantryman in the First Gulf War Osprey Publishing pp 50 ISBN 978 1 84908 095 8 External links editProduct page at Fulton Industries Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fulton MX991 U Flashlight amp oldid 1219241734, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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