Black label element code
Hi Greg. I have a black CR with a 3 digit code.
I'm wondering if you have even seen one of these with the first digit "9".
Some info I've read says this wouldn't happen; the first digit would only ever be 1, 2 or 3.
Mine is pretty clearly 95 something...possibly 0
Not that it makes any difference in practical terms. I'm just curious
Thanks, Dave
Hi -
I have indeed seen date codes starting with 9. They started making these elements in 1948 or 1949. Your element would be made in 1949, not 1959. The second 2 digits are the week number info. 1's, 2's and 3's are 1951 thru 1953.
/Greg
Thanks Greg. I know by 59 they were no longer black, but I'd been led to think the 49 codes used 4 digits as in mm-yy.
My 520 SL which contains this element has a tag painted very similar colour to the paint on the shell, and I was told it was from '49. Is it true the first SL models were introduced in 1950?
It's a nice element, quite acceptable,but I recently acquired a '55 white CR which has recalibrated my expectations :0)
You are right - I mis-spoke. Had to go to the shop to look.
I have a 1948, 1949 and 1950 elements - their date codes are xx-yy where YY is the year.
In that case I'm not really sure what I have. The element appears genuine so far as I can tell, but the print on the back is sloppy. The 99b86 is clear, the little white tag attached to the top, the metal cap, but the silver paint is a bit blobby. The 9 and 5 are quite distinct, I'm not sure of the third digit
Looks like 9 50. Could it be as simple as September 1950? I've also read that the 99B86 designation was not used until 1950.
If its black label I'll bet it is 9 of '50.
But in the end - who cares? Should be a great element. If you like it, blow it!!!
Yeah, I know, just this sort of thing interests me. I like old stuff, just like to know what it is, that kind of thing. Thanks Greg.
Yes the best element I have is a white CR from 1955. This blackie is as good as any other element I have, but the white one is special.
Sorry, I thought I had an answer for you, but it looks like I was wrong. If it was a 9-50 it would have been Sep of 1950, but if there is no dash, then it does seem strange.