I mainly collect 'non-letter serial' D cell Maglites. What does this mean? Maglites without a D in the serial number are from before 1992. These lights are quite a bit different from the later 'letter serials'. The biggest difference is the size of the light. Non-letter serials have a much thicker body and weigh much more. This gives them the feel of a much more sturdy, durable light. If you've never held one I highly recommend it versus a new Maglite as it feel like a different light entirely. See below for an example of a letter serial versus a non-letter serial.
- Maglite Serial Number Breakdown
- Maglite Serial Number Search
- Mini Maglite Serial Number Location Diagram
Number of questions: 0 Do you have a question about the Maglite XL200 or do you need help? Ask your question here. Provide a clear and comprehensive description of the issue and your question. The more detail you provide for your issue and question, the easier it will be for other Maglite XL200 owners to properly answer your question. The mark consists of the placement of an inscription around the circumference of the circular face cap cover or head of a flashlight. The inscription may vary. Hey guys, I have some questions in regard to Maglite D cells flashlight. Most of the upgrades on market will only fit “ D “ in serial number flashlight. I want to upgrade and need to know how or where to obtain these lights brand new. I want to upgrade Maglite 4-6 D cells from brand new host flashlight with “ D “ serial number.
Shown in the above pic is a 3D letter serial (bottom) from around 2000 and a non-letter serial 3D from around 1980 (top). The leading digit, 3, specifies the cell size in the non-letter and the leading D and 3 in the letter serial specifies the cell type and number of cells. The rest of the digits specify the number of the light in the production sequence. All lights started at number 1 and worked their way up. So, the earliest 3 cell light would be 30000001. The non-letter light on top is 30051558 so it is the 51,558th 3D cell light produced. This numbering carried over in 1992 and did not reset when the letter serials came out. Older lights did not differentiate between the cell type in the serial. Newer LED lights will also have other letters on the prefix side as well. This blog is specifically about incandescent lights.
Shown below is a new (1992+) end cap threaded into an old (1990) barrel to show the difference in size. The red barrel is an old production non-letter and the jade end cap from a new production letter serial.
The secondary update was to the switch. From 1979 until 1992 Mag Instrument used a retaining ring switch. The retaining ring was made out of aluminum early on but was changed in 1990 to plastic. The aluminum ring resulted in more difficult maintenance because the retaining ring gets stuck when dirt or corrosion get into it. The aluminum ring also resulted in higher production costs because the aluminum is more expensive to produce than the plastic. The 1992+ letter serial switches use a snap ring instead of a retaining ring which also results in less machining and a lower production cost.
Shown below is a 1979 to 1989 aluminum retaining ring switch on the left, a 1990 to 1991 plastic retaining ring switch in the center, and a 1992+ retaining clip switch on the right. The retaining clip is difficult to remove from the barrel and removal is not needed for most maintenance. It should be noted that Maglite still sells retaining ring replacement switch for older lights but they are now all of the plastic ring variety. The aluminum ring has been discontinued since 1989.
These non-letter serial lights are far less common than the later lights. A new 3D is around a 48,000,000 serial which means Maglite has produced around 48,000,000 3Ds as of this post date. Mag Instrument will actually tell you the date a light was produced based on this serial number although I have a Quick Dating Guide that will give you a rough idea without having to go through Mag.
It's interesting to note that when 1992 rolled around only 4,000,000 of each model, and sometimes many less, were produced when the lights changed to the currently available models. Currently Mag Instrument will sometimes sell 4,000,000 lights of each model a year so non-letter serials are much more rare due to their low production numbers and age.
The variations on the standard black model are also much more rare on the earlier lights. Lights came in far fewer colors and there were far fewer special editions than there are on the newer style lights. I've detailed these here.
Another easy way to tell the difference is the addition of the panther logo on the bezel of the new style lights. According to Mag Instrument a panther represents a creature of the night and was added when the models changed in 1992. Shown below is a new style letter serial with the panther logo on the bezel on the bottom and the older style bezel on top.
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120V AC Adapter for Maglite ML150LR
120V AC Adapter for Maglite ML150 Rechargeable Light System118-287, ML150-A2175..
ML150-A2175
$9.84
12V DC Auto Adapter for Maglite ML150LR
12V DC Auto Adapter for Maglite ML150LR flashlight.118-296, ML150-A2205..
ML150-A2205
$5.90
12V Straight Wire Adaptor for Rechargeable Mag Flashlight ARXX175
12V Straight Wire Adaptor for Rechargeable Mag Flashlight RE1019, RN1019, RL1019Replaces part number..
ARXX175
$13.95
2 AA LED Mini Maglite Replacement Face Cap, Black 253-018, 253-000-018
Replacement Face Cap for the LED AA Mini Mag Maglite Flashlight Does NOT fit Incandescent, LED PRO o..
253-018
$6.50
2 AA Mini Maglite Face Cap, Black 203-004, 203-000-004
Face Cap for the Incandescent AA Mini Mag Maglite FlashlightIncandescent models only, does not fit L..
203-004
$6.50
2 AA Mini Maglite PRO LED Replacement Face Cap, Black 255-000-001
Replacement Face Cap for the 2AA PRO LED Mini Maglite Flashlight. This is the Face Cap Only, does NO..
255-001
$6.50
2 AA Mini Maglite PRO+ LED Replacement Face Cap, Black 255-000-008
Replacement Face Cap for the 2AA PRO+ LED Mini Maglite Flashlight. This is the Face Cap Only, does N..
255-008
Maglite Serial Number Breakdown
$6.50
2AA Mini Maglite / XL Series AMBER Plastic Lens 208-027, 208-000-027
Amber Plastic Lens For the AA Mini Mag Maglite Flashlight*Fits: Incandescent, LED, LED Pro, and LED ..
208-027
$2.15
2AA Mini Maglite / XL Series BLUE Plastic Lens 108-000-616, 108-616
Blue Plastic Lens For the AA Mini Mag Maglite Flashlight*Fits: Incandescent, LED, LED Pro, and LED P..
108-616
$2.15
2AA Mini Maglite / XL Series GREEN Plastic Lens 118-092, 118-000-092
Green Plastic Lens For the AA Mini Mag Maglite Flashlight*Fits: Incandescent, LED, LED Pro, and LED ..
118-092
$2.15
2AA Mini Maglite / XL Series RED Plastic Lens 208-025, 208-000-025
RED Plastic Lens For the AA Mini Mag Maglite FlashlightFits: Incandescent, LED, LED Pro, and LED Pro..
208-025
$2.15
2AA Mini Maglite and XL Series Anti-Roll Device / Lens Holder (208-065, 408-022)
Anti-Roll Device / Lens Holder For the AA Mini Mag Maglite and XL Series FlashlightsManufacturer par..
208-065
$4.30
AA and AAA Mini Maglite 9' Wrist Lanyard, 208-076, Black
Wrist Lanyard For the AA & AAA Mini Mag Maglite FlashlightsManufacturer part number: 208-000-076..
208-076
$2.44
AA Mini Maglite Battery Spring 108-044
Maglite Serial Number Search
For the AA Mini Mag Maglite FlashlightAlso fits Generation 2, Pro & Pro+ LED models.Manufacturer..
108-044
$4.00
AA Mini Maglite Clear Plastic Lens 108-046
Clear Plastic Lens for the AA Mini Mag Maglite FlashlightFits: Incandescent, LED, LED Pro, and LED P..
108-046
$2.15
Mini Maglite Serial Number Location Diagram