Simplex Diadem and Birmingham 7 bracket.

The simplex Diadem goes down as one of the most recogniseable side entry gearless MBF/U lanterns of all time. Offered as a budget lantern, they proved very popular with many authorities, especially Birmingham, who installed them in their hundreds to replace damaged or outdated lanterns, frequently seen on the characteristic 'seven' bracket, so named because of its resemblance to the number 7.
Obtained 6 years ago, the lantern had seen a usual rough life at the side of the road. Its bowl was heavily yellowed, it had been drilled for a photocell, and inside it was burned up and wires were looking a tad lethal to say the least. Restored, it became a very representable example. 3 years after first acquiring it, I sourced a replacement bowl, much less yellowed, but better than the brown bowl I received it with. Recently I made a contact with someone who works with a fellow depot not far from where I work. He came up trumps with a brand new NOS bowl, which is now what you see here.
The 7 bracket came from a road in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, and was one of a pair removed from Column 4 and 5. They were fitted with SRL8 lanterns, which whilst looked ok, didn't suit them as much, so I decided to fit the Diadem to this bracket to get some photos of a combination which is now believed to be extinct in Birmingham.