These were apparently one of the first of the durable flashlights marketed to industry, LE, and public safety. While they looked a bit like a Maglite, and the designer in fact later went to work for the Maglite folks, these were a bit different and apparently quite highly thought of by many users. I still remember that my grandfather had one, that I'd thought for years was just some sort of early Maglite, but in stumbling across information while looking something else up (the way it usually happens), I now realize that what he had kicking around was most likely actually an old Kel-lite. (It took four or five D cells and had a shielded metal switch sort of like those on the old Army anglehead lights.)

I was just curious if any forum members had some of these still around or were more familiar with them.

Edit to add that forum member K-22 graciously sent me this image of his 6 cell Kel-lite (sitting in very good company) to illustrate what these look like for those not familiar with them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GatorFarmer,

Gator,
I used a 20,000 candlepower and did some good work with it. Excellant lights.

The 6 C-cell lights used to fit nicely in a nightstick ring.....

I was issued the 5 cell Kel Lite (aka "KILL LITE") with a little larger head when I graduated the academy in 1979. It was state of the art at the time, but I was happy to replace it with a rechargeable MagLite a few years later (due to the significant increase in light). I don't know what happened to that old Kel Lite (probably had to turn it in) but I'm still using my old MagLite (20+ years later)... it's probably the ONLY piece of equipment I have that has lasted that long.

I still have a 5 D cell the resides by the front door as my grab it on the way out light.

I remember that in the late 70's, when I was a new rookie, my first FTO had one. He was a single guy and could afford such expensive goodies. I was amazed at how bright it was. I couldn't afford one but my new bride gave me a 7 cell Kel-light(sic)for my birthday. It was pretty bright but boy was it heavy. Bianchi made a large belt ring for such flashlights and it was routinely carried in place of a baton, even in the daytime. It was like a length of lead pipe and worked well when needed as a light or for other social purposes. I still have it and even though it no longer works and is very scarred, it is one of my prized possessions.

Did anyone ever see the Kel-Lite BatonLite in use? The last one I saw was a 5C with stainless bezel and a 14" extension. A spacer filled the empty space, but I believe it could be pulled and extra batteries inserted.

Have and still use one from '78. It's a 5 D cell. It is incredably tough and was even run over by a unit with no apparent damage. Heavy though.

Carried the 6 cell in my rookie years on the street back in the 70's, they made a hell of a bat.

I had a C-battery 6-cell as a young deputy in the early 80's. Like has been mentioned, it carried in a baton ring but was heavy. The batteries rattled a bit inside so I rolled up some heavy card stock to silence it. I even bought the optional threaded butt end for it that they claimed was for breaking windows (but it also had a sharp cutting ring on it... wonder why).

I once made a running takedown on a juvenile who was trying to evade me at a high school football game. Both of us were at a dead sprint, about 20' apart, in full view of hundreds of onlookers. I had taken the light out of the baton ring so it wouldn't bang against me as I ran, but I found myself instinctively heaving it sidearm at the juvie's legs. It caught him behind his knees.

Damn if it didn't tie him up and send him sprawling to the ground.

The light was, of course, completely unharmed. I wish I knew where that thing was these days.

The one I have and carried was the 5-cell with the larger head. It rode on my belt more than my PR-24. There were only so many things that even a guy my size was able to wear all day long. I work more nights than days and the light was more important. During the day I would switch out the Kel-Lite for the PR-24 but the Lite was always around. It took a lot of abuse and 'knocked' on many, many doors and broke more than one window. The only draw back with the Kel-Lite was the switch but I managed to 'repair' mine several time. It wasn't water proof which the Mag-Lights were - or were supposed to be.

The major issue I had with the Mag-light rechargeable lights is the battery pack which was Ni-Cad and these would take a 'set' if you used them for short times and then stuck them back in the charger. They'd get to the point where you couldn't get them to hold a charge and the only way around that was a new power pack which cost almost as much as the complete new unit!

I do use several Mag-Lights these days but have converted them all to LED's and still use them only with Alkaline batteries. If I could afford the Li-Ion rechargeables I'd be using them but not in my budget right now.

My BIL gave me a 5 C many years ago. It is still working, but as has been mentioned, the switch is iffy.

Mine, bought new from Safariland in 1980 with my name engraved on it, is still in use.

It's a deluxe model, with a three-way switch.

Takes four C-cells.

I have newer flashlights, but still sometimes wear that old one. I must say, though, that I have Princeton Tec plastic lights that will fit in a pocket that are much brighter. But that old Kel-Lite is heck for stout. It'd still make a nice mace, in the medieval sense.

T-Star

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Star: It's a deluxe model, with a three-way switch.

Texas Star; I'd forgotten that they did upgrade the switch in later years.

Yep, I carried one in the old days. A nice 3-D cell light, it was a great "come-along" aid!