Another newbi question re: headlights

[Great Lakes Greg]

I have seen 1915 models with gas or electric headlights, so I assume this was a transition year. I like the gas lights with the black buckets accented with the brass chimney and lens ring. A pair was recently on ebay in fair condition, and they failed to meet reserve at around $500. In the market place, what does a nice pair retail for and are these rare as the proverbial hen's teeth, or do they come along with some frequency? I am not looking to buy yet, but would like some idea of what I'm in for.

 

[Steve Jelf]

This doesn't directly address your question, but may be useful. From the encyclopedia:

1915
(All lamps appeared alike, regardless of make. Early production 1915 lamps varied; made by E&J, they had larger brass rims and lenses (8-5/8 vs 8-1/8”) than later standard style lamps. Lamps were supplied by E & J, Brown, Victor and, perhaps others. Headlamp lenses were clear glass until 1921.) Steel headlight rims specified in a letter dated June 19, 1915.
Headlamps
6511X with large lens rim. (E&J 456) 6511X with brass lens rim. (standard) During the latter part of 1914 and perhaps early 1915, headlamps were fork-mounted, on the same forks as used by the carbide lamps. Early in 1915 the lamp with the riveted-in-place post became the standard. All were electric, powered by the magneto with the bulbs wired in series. Brass rims discontinued about June 1915.

 

[redmodelt]

Depending on what part of the country you lived in you could still have a 14 style touring up to about June of 1915. Ford liked to use up parts so I would not be surprised if there were cars that were fitted with the gas headlights from the distribution centers. Some owners in the day did fit their cars with the gas headlights because the new electrics were not that great the way they were wired. People understood the gas lamps not so much the new fanged electric.
$500 might be steep for what the market for them is. Do an advance search on ebay to see what similar lamps have sold for.