REVO C12422/AL 80w MBF Lantern. Also nick-named the REVO 'Step-Top' by collectors because of the stepped shape of the canopy, the C12422 was another 'Group-B' lantern for use on minor roads and side streets. Designed for use with either tungsten or mercury lamps, the lantern came in two basic versions with either a large or small brim. However, the customer could choose between having the lantern made from cast-iron (C12422) or cast-aluminium (C12422/AL), and being finished in factory-green paint or aluminium.

The lantern featured a refractor ring mounted into a vitreous enamel reflector plate, enclosed within either a clear glass bowl or white plastic opaque bowl. However, access to the lantern's interior was not made easy by having to undo two brass wing-nuts to allow the bowl to be hinged downward to gain the necessary access, as the nuts could seize over time. This idea was later dropped in favour of 'toggle-action' fasteners on later REVO designs such as on the REVO Bell-Top and REVO Prefect lanterns. However, other aspects of the C12422, such as the hinged enamelled reflector plate and bayonet fixed prismatic glass refractor ring can be seen in the later designs such as the C144xx series Bell-Top lantern.

The example in the collection is an 80w MBF lantern that came from Woodfield Avenue in the Penn District of Wolverhampton in early 2005. Wolverhampton Corporation was a loyal REVO customer during the 1950's and 1960's, buying the small-brimmed versions in both cast-iron and aluminium; all with clear glass bowls. Sadly, this example has lost its pointed glass 'acorn' bowl. Instead it has inherited a cheap vacuum-formed round-bottomed replacement; a proper replacement will have to be found.  Aside of the missing bowl, the lantern is in very good condition and its eventual restoration will hopefully be straight-forward. The C12422/AL used the same glass refractor ring as the later Bell-top lanterns, and a suitable spare refractor ring has been set aside.

The ex-Wolverhampton CC REVO Step-top lantern is seen in acquired condition, complete with lots of very crispy dead wasps! The awful repro plastic bowl has since been discarded; the lantern is seen minus its glass refractor ring.

The name REVO is cast into the brim of the lantern, as is the serial number. Note the threaded wing nut, which has become seized over time; a weak point in the lantern's design.

 This REVO 'Step-Top' 80w MBF lantern (with incorrect replacement bowl) was still in use in Wolverhampton in July 2005.