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Revo 'Precint' 80-watt MBF lantern

(aka Revo 'Birmingham')

Revo Hatfield lantern for 80w MBF lamps. Rumoured to have been designed by a Birmingham City lighting engineer in the early 1960's, the Precint is the 'enclosed' version of the REVO Hatfield, and appears to be unique to its home City of Birmingham where many examples still survive. Sometimes called 'Birminghams' or 'Chinese hat lanterns', the old fittings are so wonderfully evocative of early 1960's design, with their large canopies and the clean functional lines associated with the architectural design of that era.

The large diameter 'hat' is made of fibreglass, but is far from lightweight, being of a very heavy and durable construction. The fibreglass canopy, or 'hat' as they are known, can be removed if necessary by unscrewing the large steel nut on top of the canopy, which then allows it to be lifted clear of the lantern. However, when the canopy is lifted it does not give access to the inside of the lantern, but merely allows removal for cleaning or replacement of the canopy.

Beneath the canopy is the heavy cast metal lantern that accommodates the 80-watt MBF/U lamp. Access to the lantern is made by releasing the toggle-clip at the side of the lantern, and allowing the plastic bowl and rim to hinge to one side.

The REVO 'Precinct' lantern seen in acquired condition. Note that the canopy is almost the diameter of the bike wheel!

The lantern in the collection is believed to have come from the Erdington district of the City. The REVO 'Hatfield' is shown as an open-refractor lantern in this REVO catalogue entry. The lantern is also offered with the option of a double-bracket fixing. There is no evidence to suggest that the Hatfield was used in the City of Birmingham.

REVO Hatfield open-refractor lantern from a REVO catalogue showing both the single, and double bracket options.

Here's an actual REVO Hatfield open-refractor lantern on a double bracket, but this one was in the Black Country, and not in Birmingham.

A REVO Precinct on a REVO column especially designed for the City of Birmingham. This example is photographed at Cape Hill, Birmingham. Note that the lantern has been recently been fitted with a new bowl.

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Please note that all pictures are by Claire Pendrous, or are part of the Claire Pendrous photographic collection unless otherwise stated; none of these images can be copied without obtaining prior permission.