How do you open this headlight? 1939 Colson Snap Tank Bicycle

[The Carolina Rambler]

Hello everybody! I have this bicycle. It is a 1939-40 or so, Colson Built "Wings Marathon" bicycle I bought a few months ago. It is in good working order, and I am hoping to start riding it more here now, but I can't seem to figure out how to open the headlight. I think you turn the front bezel to the left or right to turn it on or off. The headlight is original to the bike, and is unbranded. I need to make a new plastic lens for it, and rewire it if needed, new lightbulb, but I just cant figure out how to open it. Any thoughts on how to open it? Also, if I don't just make a lens myself, do yall know of any places on ebay for example, that might sell a nice lens for it? Thank you all in advance for all of your help, and thanks for reading!

Here is the bicycle right after I bought it and rode it around for the first time; In front of a general store.

Here is the headlight on the front fender.

 

[1motime]

That is a good looking bike! Great patina. Good luck with the light. I think the little switch might move to the other side to release the bezel. Looking at things it might be frozen. Couple of drops of liquid wrench and see if it moves.

 

[rustjunkie]

Paper Archive: Catalogs, Instructions, Schematics. Non-Discussion Thread | General Discussion About Old Bicycles

Having original catalog, instructions, and schematics can be helpful when working on old stuff, and having the info in one place makes things even easier. Plus: they're just plain cool to look at. If you have scans or clear pictures of original service literature that you'd like to share you can...

thecabe.com

 

[SteveF]

Beautiful bike, Rambler

 

[GTs58]

 

[The Carolina Rambler]

Hello again everybody! Thank you all for your help and advice with this headlight. I went and toyed around with it a bit more, and figured out how to open it. You have to gently squeeze the light body downwards while pulling the bezel; this gets the slot in the bezel that holds it closed up and over a tiny pin, and then the light is open. Tons of mud and some battery acid corrosion and dirt. Looks like some parts are missing, so the light will definitely need to be rebuilt to get it operational again, but nothing too bad. I wouldn't be surprised if no one has opened that in 60 years or more. Thank you again for reading!

 

[Krakatoa]

Nice work on directions sheet @rustjunkie!

Has anyone addressed the other questions?

Og equipment? I am going to vote no aftermarket.

Manufacturer? EA labs? Or...

 

[fordmike65]

Looks EA. It has that telltale EA release pin. I've never seen a Colson originally equipped with anything other than Delta or the scarcely seen NETD. I suppose it's possible tho.