Thebakerman
Member
I don't normally care for SVP-1168 pancake lights but I recently picked this one up only because it's a first generation model, similar to the S&W L-11 Volunteer pancake. Was wondering if anyone who has an L-11 could tell me how their internal design compares to these 1st-gen SVP pancakes and if they're the same design or are there differences?
I remember using these 1st-gen SVP and the S&W L-11 Volunteer pancake lights back in the 1980's but back in those days I had no interest in emergency lighting and never took the occasion to pull the cover off one to peer inside. The moment I saw this 1st-gen SVP pancake I bought it right away and then bought a NOS 2nd-gen SVP pancake (gear drive model made in 1993) just to have both types for comparison for my collection. This first generation model came with a red lens on it that say's 'SVP Clearwater, FL' while newer SVP pancake lenses made sometime after that say 'SVP Pinellas Park, FL'. I found a NOS amber pancake lens to replace the old red one (pictured on the light) just to make it look nicer. This light was made around March of 1985 but the original red lens was pretty scratched up as is the bottom exterior of the light but inside the light it looks brand new and it's operation is both smooth and quiet with no issues of any kind.
If anyone has info on the design of these first generation SVP-1168 pancake lights I'd like to hear about it. SVP pancake's are extremely common but you rarely see 1st generation models like this.
I remember using these 1st-gen SVP and the S&W L-11 Volunteer pancake lights back in the 1980's but back in those days I had no interest in emergency lighting and never took the occasion to pull the cover off one to peer inside. The moment I saw this 1st-gen SVP pancake I bought it right away and then bought a NOS 2nd-gen SVP pancake (gear drive model made in 1993) just to have both types for comparison for my collection. This first generation model came with a red lens on it that say's 'SVP Clearwater, FL' while newer SVP pancake lenses made sometime after that say 'SVP Pinellas Park, FL'. I found a NOS amber pancake lens to replace the old red one (pictured on the light) just to make it look nicer. This light was made around March of 1985 but the original red lens was pretty scratched up as is the bottom exterior of the light but inside the light it looks brand new and it's operation is both smooth and quiet with no issues of any kind.
If anyone has info on the design of these first generation SVP-1168 pancake lights I'd like to hear about it. SVP pancake's are extremely common but you rarely see 1st generation models like this.
Last edited: