If you head “across the pond” — as they say — to the UK, you might hear someone talk about needing a “torch” when it gets dark. While to Americans that could evoke images of villagers holding burning torches as they head to meet a mad scientist — they really just mean a flashlight. Torch is simply the term they use over there, much like how the “trunk” of a car is called a “boot” and how they say “chips” when we call them “fries.” Movie-goers have seen this in the cinema and US troops deployed overseas have often heard it applied to military flashlights (whether the familiar “angle head flashlight” or not) from Brit/UK soldiers.

The British simply kept the name, and this applied to military versions — also called torches, or sometimes “trench torches” as these evolved from lanterns that were used along the Western Front during the First World War. It would be hard not to think that writer/director George Lucas wasn’t influenced by those early military torches when he conceived the lightsaber because those military torches certainly look the part.

Evolution of Military Flashlight Design

While the basic civilian torches remained a long cylinder with a basic phallic shape, the British Army began to update the design. Instead of the long cylinder, it evolved into a boxy device with a lamp on one side as the original LE1 (Light, Electric, No1). It was similar in profile to bicycle lamps of the era and it remained in use throughout the early stages of the Second World War.

The torch was a little bulky, however, and soon the British copied from the German “artas” lamp of the era, which resulted in the LE4 (Lamp Electric No 4). What happened to lamps two and three isn’t exactly clear, but apparently, they didn’t pass muster.

The Electric Lamp No. 1 British military flashlight (via warrelics.eu, q.v.)

The LE4 proved to be a reliable design. It consisted of a metal box, which featured a lens, reflector, and bulb located on the top center of the front panel. It was fitted with two colored filters that could slide over the light — one in red and one in green. That was to allow for map reading at night without impacting the user’s night vision.

Ed Hallett of the University of Huddersfield, who also runs the website Tales from the Supply Depot: Collecting British Empire Militaria, tells us,

“As far as I am aware the design was a good one and well-liked by all who used it, as evidenced by the fact similar torches remained in service in Eastern European militaries through until the end of the Cold War. Unfortunately like most pieces of the kit, if it worked people just used it and didn’t comment on it, it was only if it was a bit useless that they put pen to paper to moan about it.”

Replicas of the LE4 military flashlight are being made for re-enactors, so collectors should be wary when looking for a real one.

Electric light No. 4 (historical British military flashlight) via warrelics.eu.

The American Angle Head Flashlight

The United States not only went another way — first by calling the devices flashlights rather than torches — but also in that the U.S. Army developed the angle head flashlight, also known as the TL-122.

As the name suggests, the flashlight, which was developed during World War II, featured a 90-degree angle head. It was a slightly altered version of the angle-head, brass-bodied Eveready Model 2694 Industrial flashlight, which was similar in design to the No. 2697 Boy Scout flashlight that had been introduced in 1927.

It isn’t clear exactly what the “TL” stood for in U.S. military nomenclature, but various sources suggest it could be for “Torch Light.” However, it is worth noting that War Dept. Tech Bulletins of the era, which do refer to it as a “flash light,” never use the term “torch,” while there were other TL-designations for “Tool Linesman,” so it is possible the “TL” may have been for “Tool Light.”

The design was meant to be simple, and these featured a clip that allowed the flashlight to be attached to a soldier’s web gear while the angle of the head cast light forward of the user. This allowed the soldier’s hands to remain free to carry a weapon.

Before the classic GI Fulton flashlight came long, American soldiers had the “Beacon Army Light” (Beacon Electric Works, 1917).

The WWI era Beacon Army Light has a leather strap that uses a 1/2 in. US Army brass button for closure. (Via Hardscrabble Farm) Also worth looking at, the Wehrmacht’s Daimon Pocket Lamp. 

The flashlights were actually fairly lightweight for the era — albeit heavier than what we might expect today — as these were powered by two “D” cell batteries. There were actually four versions, TL-122A through TL-122D, and a number of companies produced these in all variations including USA Lite (United States Electric Mfg. Corp. of New York), Bright Star, GITS Molding Co., and Micro Lite.

Left, the original TL-122 version of the angle-head military flashlight. Right, the TL-122D version, which featured an extended base that contained lens filters in blue/red/clear as well as a spare bulb. (Private Collection)

The first featured a brass body that was painted olive drab with blackened metal screw caps. That version also fit into armored vehicle flashlight brackets. As the U.S. military began to utilize plastic during the war, the T-122B became the first plastic version and it was introduced in 1943. It was molded in OD but the early plastic formulation resulted in it producing a bad smell and also had a waxy compound on the surface.

Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) searching a Viet Cong tunnel complex with a right angle flashlight and a 1911 pistol in the file Platoon.

Original T-122A and T-122B are especially rare today, and in the case of the latter one the plastics have broken down. Surviving examples are usually extremely brittle.

The TL-122C, which was issued beginning in April 1944, improved upon the design. It addressed the smell and also was considered a more “waterproof” design. The last of the World War II variants was the TL-122D, which featured an extended base that contained lens filters in blue/red/clear as well as a spare bulb. These were first issued in late 1944 and saw use in both Europe and the Pacific.

The TL-122-C flashlight. The light on the left comes from the large box marked TL-122-C, but the light itself is marked only USALITE. The more commercial-looking box marked USALITE Right Angle Mixed-Focus Flashlight delivered a properly marked TL-122-C (not shown). Via Paratrooper.BE.

While original TL-122C/D variants can be found, plastics that are so old are still very fragile. Reproductions of all of these have also been produced, so collectors need to be wary when offered one for sale.

There is actually more interest in these flashlights than one might expect, explained Wouter Has, who runs the website Paratrooper.be, which is devoted to the study of World War II American military equipment.

“About 10 years ago, I first published my article on these TL-122 army flashlights, never expecting to receive so much feedback on it,” said Has. “Almost every month I receive emails from collectors sending photos of new variations or asking questions about the rarity or value of their flashlight, or which type they need for a particular WWII display or mannequin. I started the article to point out some differences, between the models and manufacturers and when and where each type was used, and how to recognize replicas. Over the years, the article grew and this article and others like it about jump wings and gas detection brassards keep bringing new collectors to my website, so I meet like-minded people from around the world. Sometimes I even get questions from TV producers who need details that cannot be found in reference books or online.”

A red lens angle head flashlight in use by soldiers at night.                                                                                        We Are The Mighty explains,
• Early flashlights were either huge and bulky or dim and short-lived — both were very impractical for troops fighting in combat. And then the TL-122 was first created.
• The design was simple. It gave the flashlight a clip and an ergonomic bend so that it could be attached to a soldier’s body, leaving their hands free for fighting. The easily interchangeable batteries and bulbs made it that much more desirable.
• The design of the TL-122 was available to multiple manufacturers and used by many different countries. Only slight variations were made before the Vietnam War, including the TL-122 D, which gave it a new compartment to affix various filters. The red filter is one of the most useful because red light doesn’t hinder the eyes’ natural night vision and is far less conspicuous to enemies

Four “bullseye lens” British military flashlights showing a progression of design (1917 to 1941).                                          1) 11.5 in. in length, powered by 4 Dd cell batteries; it uses a spring loaded ON/OFF button and a floating type Morse key (EFANDEM Company, Limited of Wolverhampton in 1917);                                                                                                 2) A 1919 version, 9.25 in. long, similar design;                                                                                                                    3) Circa 1930s, this “handheld torch” now features brown leather and brass (vs. imitation leather and brass in its predecessors) and a brass belt hook (Ever Ready 1937);                                                                                                    4) A flashlight built using pressed steel. Utilizes a sliding alloy power button (which could probably have been used to send Morse Code signals), belt clip, and a glass lens with a pressed steel rim (vs a bullseye lens). The base attaches with a bayonet socket. (P&H Limited, Birmingham, 1941).

The Streamlight ProTac 90X (shown here in an image from a review on @knifeaandgearsociety) retains the older shape but throws a thousand lumens with much more modern technology.

The MX-99/U and MX-991/U

The TL-122D remained in use throughout the Korean War, but the basic design of the flashlight was changed slightly by the Vietnam War. An improved plastic model was introduced as the MX-99/U — and why the designation was changed is also unclear.

SGT Ronald A. Payne (Atlanta, Ga) Squad Leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Mechanized Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, checks a tunnel entrance before entering. Note he is equipped with an angle-head military flashlight. The image of a Vietnam ere “Tunnel Rat” is indelibly associated with the angle head military flashlight, thanks in no small part to a number of movies. (Public Domain)

First manufactured by GT Price, it also incorporated a second lens ring housed in the base along with lens filters in blue, red, and clear; as well as a spare bulb. It was also powered by two “D” cell batteries and featured a belt/equipment clip. The biggest change over the World War II version was that it was far more rugged, as it was made of an improved, high-impact plastic.

Subsequently upgraded as the MX-991/U — which was also known under the nomenclature “FLASHLIGHT: electric, hand, 2-cell, w/lamp and lens filter, w/o batteries, type I class A (21108) MX991-U” and NSN 6230-00-264-8261. These were produced by GT Price as well as Fulton. It was updated slightly in 1973, where a switch guard was added to prevent accidental operation of on-off switches.

The basic angle-head flashlight has changed little since. However, there are additional lens filters, including in blue, green, amber, red, blackout, and diffusion, which can be used according to the conditions.

A “tunnel rat” (unknown identity) in Vietnam with GI angle head flashlight and revolver. (Photo Credit US National Archives)

Tunnel rats typically armed with a flashlight and a pistol in conducting their mission | Credit: US National Archives

Fulton currently manufactures the flashlight for the U.S. military. It is available in Olive Drab for the U.S. Army and the United States Marine Corps; ACU digital camouflage for the Army; Grey for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard; Khaki/Tan for the Army, Navy, and Marines; Woodland Camo for the Army, Navy, and Marines; and Black for law enforcement and military subcontractors.

Fulton Industries continues to manufacture the MX-991/U for the U.S. military. (Fulton Industries)

Fulton Industries also produces the MX-991/U in a variety of colors as well as digital camo – since that pattern uniform has been taken out of service it is unlikely these will continue to be purchased by the military. (Fulton Industries)

Willem Dafoe (playing the role of Sgt. Elias) prepares to enter the tunnels beneath a bunker complex in the movie Platoon. He carries a 1911 pistol in one hand and an angle head military flashlight in the other. He’d have been better of with a PolyTac 90X flashlight from Streamlight (seen below), but those were decades away.

The MX-991/U has also been copied by other nations, though some commercial versions may not be up to the Mil-Spec requirements. However, Fulton Industries remains the only current U.S. military contractor for the flashlight.

For collectors, finding the vintage ones could be a challenge, noted Wouter Has.

“I cannot possibly afford to collect all of the existing variations myself. For example, with the gas detection brassards, there are only a few variations, but many different stampings inside, and I was trying to determine the meaning of these codes.”

As a result, he still tries to maintain a military flashlight database for collectors to share their knowledge. “With other collectors sending me the codes on their brassards, we all get a better understanding of them.”

Read more about Duty Flashlights.

British military “torches” being assembled during the First World War. (Public Domain). Below: Behind the scenes at Streamlight, home of the ProTac 90, Streamlight Sidewinder, and other angle-head flashlights.

Modern Angle Head Flashlights

There are several reputable companies making lights reminiscent of the right-angle (90°) military flashlight. We’ll parse through some of them as time allows. If you know of a good one (and can personally attest to its quality), roger up in the comments below.

If you don’t see your preferred make/model/brand below, don’t get your bowels in an uproar. We’ll get more added in as we’re  able. 

Streamlight Sidewinder

The Sidewinder, another Streamlight angle light, can be pivoted to a full 90° or rotated back to a straight configuration. As you can see below, they make a great helmet light for your chosen brain bucket.

A Streamlight Sidewinder 90° flashlight. There are several versions of this angle head “hands-free” light, including one that is LED and another made to be worn with rescue gear (vs. battle rattle, which is what the Sidewinder Boot is for). Photo via @infodesmilis (q.v.).

The military flashlight version of the Sidewinder comes with the ability to throw white, red, IR-IFF, or blue, There is an aviation version with white, green, IR-IFF, and blue. Both are waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes, pushing 55 lumens and 1,175 candelas up to just shy of 70m with a run time of 200 hours. Photo via @infodesmilis (q.v.).

The Streamlight Sidewinder LED Hands Free light tilts up to 185 , just like the Sidewinder Boot, and is also available in military and aviation versions. Additionally, there’s a tactical version. Itt throws white, red, blue, and green LED light. All are available in coyote brown and OD Green.

• 3-meter multiple orientation impact resistance tested.
• IPX7 Rated design; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes. O-ring and gasket sealed openings.
Meets MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4.
• Pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob prevents accidental mode changes and allows the selection of 4 illumination sources. See model for specific LED configuration.
• Tactile indicator on rotary knob for IR LED position (green LED position for Tactical model).
• Push-button switch enables/disables selected illumination source starting at low output and
progressing to the highest output in 4 discrete steps (Tactical model enables selected illumination
source starting at high output and progressing to the dimmest output). Double click of push
button initiates high output strobe of selected illumination source.
• Tactile battery polarity indicators for replacement of batteries in the dark.
• Tethered battery compartment cap facilitates replacement of batteries without loss of cap.
• Cord attachment holes in battery compartment cover capable of supporting 25lbs of load.
• Durable Belt/Clothing clip with integral helmet mount features. Attachment screw withstands 30
inch pounds average torque without failure or stripping.