I searched for years for adequate cowl lights (lamps) on our 1931 Chrysler CD-8 project. Finally found as needed and now have some extra cowll lights and parts that might be needed on another similar project. This is the only Cowl Light I have on hand that is very similar to our 1931 Chrysler cowl lights with two major differences. This I would at least guess is likely earlier than for our CD-8 because it has separate strips down the sides of the main light bucket that snap/bend into place; as separate strips not molded into the bucket like all others we have had in hand. See pictures for the side parts laid out separately. Also this light used a flat clear lens and bulb reflector and its lens trim and bulb socket/reflector are different from the trim and reflectors used on these (likely later versions) Cowl Lamps which used the curved lens. Amazingly this cowl lamp does not appear to have any stress cracks in either the bucket or the lens trim. There are a few very tiny dings and some handling marks on the chromed parts but I'd bet someone with a little patience could fairly easily straighten out the dings good enough to make this light near like new with a little polishing. This cowl lamp should not likely require to be re-chromed for show nor re-silvered in the reflector. Others we have had to repair stress cracks with very time consuming solder, body work etc. then having to re-chrome plate them.
We only know that this is extremely similar to the original cowl lamps found on our 1931 CD-8. Perhaps this is even a very early (series 1 or 2) 1931 Chrysler CD-8 lamp. Possibly different year than 1931 or different car, perhaps DeSoto but we don't have any further information on these other than our 1931 Chrysler project for those we have actually had in hand. Only fairly certain that this lamp is for right (passenger) side cowl mounting. Check application carefully before bidding. Thought at first this was for the left (driver) side because the is "HL" stamped in the bucket near its mount to the cowl. Then thought more likely that the "HL" is some kind of manufacturer mark and not meaning "Left Hand".
Often the reflector on these are broken out at the center where the bulb fastens likely because someone did not know correctly how to remove the bulb to replace it. The bulb attachment part of this reflector is excellent condition with just a little corrosion on the backside of the reflector in the bulb base area. Also the silvering of the reflector is still in fairly excellent condition and should not require to be re silvered. The outer circle reflector to lens gasket has worn out nearly completely missing and needs to have a replacement.
The copper bulb contact strip is broken off and missing (should be at end of the screwdriver in the picture). I can provide pictures of an original if needed to show how that contact should be fabricated. Also this would be done differently than originally if you intended to implant a double contact bulb socket for such as using the cowl lamp as an upgrade for turn signal bulb in addition to the cowl (parking) lamp. Just food for thought.
Lengthy explanation but these parts came from long search and research. If you have or need one of these, maybe you already have some good idea just what is represented here and what is necessary to successfully use this cowl lamp. E-Mail questions. These are expensive and you don't need to acquire a lamp that you can't use. PayPal available and required by me from bid winner outside the U.S.A. Winner pays $7.00 USPS Parcel S&H and $3.00 Insurance within Continental U.S.A. Outside the U.S. e-Mail with complete delivery address (not just country) for shipping calculation.
BY THE WAY: I do also have an extra flat lens and lens trim same as on this whole cowl lamp assembly.
ALSO; I have a complete pair (very nice) of these for 1931 Chrysler available, so e-Mail if interested or call 541-350-3056
NOTE: I have found a small number of NOS spring assembly contacts for this as pictured in the last listing pictures. I intend to rebuild the broken contact assemblies we have on hand or can find to accommodate twp-element bulbs so they can be double wired and hopefully they can be used for turn signal lamps as well as cowl (parking?) lamps. Anyone with ideas or comments on doing this, your comments would be very welcome. These contacts fit quite a few differing cowl lamp assemblies of several different car models and years.