The 6F23 is a screened amplifier pentode. The presence of two cathode connections indicates an RF role where lead inductance needs to kept to a minimum. This Mullard exhibit has the 6F23 prominent with the Philips/Mullard designation of EF812 in a secondary role. Clearly the design was not originated by Mullard.
The Mazda 6F24 is the higher gm frame grid version/replacement.
Thanks to Dave Harding for the following information. The 6F23 was used in the late 1950s and early 1960s as an IF amplifier in Ultra TV sets. Ultra always used Mazda valves (30P4/30P19 line output 30PL13 frame) at the time. It was always felt this was because they were produced 'in house', Ultra and Mazda being part of the same company. The valves were near equivalents of the popular Mullard EF80/EF85 - PL36 and PCL85 though not pin compatible. As an after thought Mazda valves were very unreliable compared to Mullard and Brimar was somewhere in between. (Not that the PCL85 was an icon of reliability.)
The outer perforated screen and above the top mica the control grid carries a heat sink fin. Valves at RF generated less noise if they ran at several mA of anode current.
The wire grids can just be seen through the screen.
The thin glass tube envelope is 20 mm in diameter, and excluding the B9A base pins, is 60 mm tall.
References: Data-sheet, 1040 & Dave Harding. Type 6F23 was first introduced in 1959. See also1959 adverts.
