Mole Richardson 612 “Sputnik” Film Spotlight, 1950s | Ex-Bayerischer Rundfunk, on Bundeswehr Tripod
Mole Richardson 612 “Sputnik” Film Spotlight, 1950s | Ex-Bayerischer Rundfunk, on Bundeswehr Tripod
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The Mole Richardson 612, better known as the Sputnik: a round fibreglass body on three legs that reminded 1950s studio crews of the satellite in the headlines. This one worked for Bayerischer Rundfunk, Germany’s Bavarian public broadcaster, and still wears its identification tags.
At a glance
| Manufacturer | Mole-Richardson (England) Limited |
| Model | 612 |
| Nickname | “The Sputnik” |
| Origin | England |
| Produced | 1950s |
| Body | Fibreglass, original brown-green colour |
| Barndoors | Original, included |
| Tags | Bayerischer Rundfunk no. 40510; Mole Richardson no. 1222; unit no. 235 |
| Wiring | Rewired, E27 fitting, approx. 3 m cord, inline switch, EU plug |
| Bulb | Any standard LED or incandescent bulb; bulb shown in photos included |
| Freestanding use | Stands on its own three legs; tripod not required |
| Tripod | Vintage green wooden surveyor tripod, German Bundeswehr, height-adjustable |
| Spotlight dimensions | 40 × 55 × 70 cm |
| Total height (adjustable) | 173–245 cm |
| Availability | One of one, once sold this exact piece will not return |
| Import duty | Payable by the buyer in their own country (outside the EU) |
The story
Mole-Richardson was founded in Hollywood in 1927 by Peter Mole. Its quiet tungsten lights became the standard when sound film arrived, and its Fresnel spotlight of 1935 won the first of four Academy Awards for the company. In 1936 it set up Mole-Richardson (England) Limited, where this 612 was made. Its round body and splayed legs earned it the Sputnik nickname after the 1957 satellite launch. This unit served Bayerischer Rundfunk, a founding member of Germany’s ARD network.
The restoration
We rewired the spotlight with an E27 socket, inline switch, EU plug and about 3 metres of cable. The original barndoors and broadcaster tags remain.
In your interior
On the Bundeswehr tripod it is a tall statement lamp; without it, the Sputnik stands on its own three legs on a floor, shelf or plinth. For collectors of film and broadcast history, a museum, restaurant or designer interior.