Over the years the subject of neon produced during the war has come up a few times, I've written and lectured on this in more detail elsewhere. Here, however, is an example. It is a "V For Victory" neon piece that was most likely made to be displayed in stores or places that sold war bonds and/or to show general support for the war effort. This was made by Lackner and the backing is fiberboard, with the transformer (similar to the tiny ones used in their clocks) being held in place via clips rather than screws, and the star is made from plaster. All of this was in keeping with conservation of raw materials as was commonplace during the war. Chances are these were made in very limited quantity and likely utilized remaining parts stock made prior to fully converting to wartime manufacturing. The transformer has a "342" paint marking on it that may well indicate a March of 1942 production run...this would fit in with the timeline of when things shifted over to only manufacturing essential items for the war effort.
Sadly, however, the seller did not adequately protect the tubing unit for shipping and the clip-held transformer proved to be its undoing because it shifted and struck one of the electrodes. It will be easy to remake the unit if I can source the correct glass, but needless to say, I am quite sick about it in spite of the seller offering a generous refund for my trouble.
I am now seeking the correct, or at least a close match for the glass. It seems to have been a warmish white (perhaps 3500 or 4500 or a daylight) and would have likely been a halophosphate or even a phosphor containing Beryllium as this was commonplace in the 1939-1942 period. It measures out to be almost 11.5mm although the electrodes are closer to 10mm. As such, I am looking for an appropriate white tubing that is 10 or 11mm.......and....it absolutely MUST be leaded, even if it is not of original vintage. I really want to reproduce it as closely as I can get and the leaded lent itself to a tight and gathered bending style that is hard to achieve with lead-free. So if anyone has a stick or two of a suitable vintage leaded white for this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!