By Stephen James McCabe. (1991).
It has long been thought that the DSL lamp was manufactured in the United States to be exclusively exported to Australia, possibly by the Shanklin Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Illinios. This is yet to be proved. (Note: See the newly discovered paper work that was supplied with a Demon Strike Light. It clearly states that the lamp was manufactured in Australia but believe it or not NO manufacturer's name was mentioned!!)
When examined closely the DSL is very similiar to a six patent date Guy's Dropper. During the course of this article I examined twenty blade styles and one hook style DSL Lamps. I myself have been fortunate enough to have obtained four different blade style variations. I believe the DSL was very well marketed and distributed in Australia, both in the East and Western states. Included in this article are drawings of design variations (Figure 1). These have been catalogued according to Paul L Kouts 'Carbide Lamp Reference 1982',
The water door on the DSL is different to a Guy's Dropper in that it has a crimped flange, more like the earlier style Premier Lamp. The water door diameter varies according to styles. This is probably due to wear and tear on the manufacturing dies.
Reflectors have only been found in unplated brass, with diameters of 2 and 3 inches,
The bases are generally the same from variation to variation. The only difference found so far was in the earliest model. This base has a reinforced bottom.
VARIANT ONE
Top Mark 1,TA1,SSF,BA,
This lamp I believe to be the earliest variation and the same as all hook styles due to the presence of a soldering recess behind where the blade is mounted just like the hook style Guy's Droppers.TAl has cut outs for a four patent date Guy's Dropper hat brace. The base of the water tank is sharp and unbeaded.The top of the water tank has twenty-two click stops and was found with a 3 inch reflector.
VARIANT TWO.
Top Mark 1,TA2,SSF,BB.
This lamp also has twenty-two click stops and was found with a 2 inch reflector. It is more or less like variant one, except that the base is not reinforced.
VARIANT TWO(B)
Top Mark 2,TA2,SSF,BB.
This lamp is essentially the same as variant two except that it has a very unusual, almost "Asian" style insignia, which leaves you wondering was the DSL made in the Oriente
The insignia itself is very professional although it is partly blurred. In my opinion it was stamped at the factory in the die and not by the miner, as there are no surrounding stress marks or dents. Only one example has been noted, Water tank base beaded,
VARIANT THREE
Top Mark 3,TA2,SSF,BB.
This is the latest and last style known. It has twenty-nine click stops, the top of the water tank has a squarer profile than previous lamps, it too was found with a 2 inch reflector. Also the base of the water tank like Variant Two B, is beaded.
DSL ACCESSORIES
As yet the only accessory I have found is a spare base (BB) with lid. The lid only extends the length of the thread and is unbeaded and rough. This would have made it very difficult for the miner to carry a reserve gasket,
CONCLUSION
The origin of the DSL still remains a great mystery both in Australia and overseas. Recently I found a copy of a mining candle report (Tests of Mine Candles,Victoria 1910.) which stated the existence of a "Demon Brand" mine candle. Are they related? Perhaps in the near future we may find a mint condition Demon Strike Light in its original box and be able to solve the puzzle.
(Note: See the newly discovered paper work that was supplied with a Demon Strike Light. It clearly states that the lamp was manufactured in Australia but believe it or not NO manufacturer's name was mentioned!! This article is reproduced from The Newsletter of Australian Mining Collectables V1 No2, Winter 1992.)
CARBIDE LAMP REFERENCE SYSTEM USED IN THIS ARTICLE.
T= Lamp top(water reservoir.)
Al=First style (solder recess and hat brace cut outs),
A2=Second style
SSF=Wide spade soldered with flat surface.
B =Base(carbide receptacle)
A=First style(reinforced base)
B=Second style.(standard base)
Top Mark 1=Twenty-two click stops
Top Mark 2=Twenty-two click stops with insignia
Top Mark 3=Twenty-nine click stops
