I'm just comparing 2 of my MOD issue lamps that are Identical in every way, and I thought I'd share some photos as one Has a Vapalux collar, and the other a Bialaddin Collar with MOD Markings. I'll never get my head around these military jobs, as there's not much Information about them. Both work superbly by the way, so I'll post double action shots when I get the chance!
My 1955 Military 305 is also marked Bialaddin, but with the single piece pressed hood. The interchangeability of these parts makes it very difficult to establish true originality.
It seems that the MOD lamps all used the M1 type cage, regardless of the Fount. (Except for the MOD M320 which seems Identical to the Civvy version).
My MOD Bialaddin 305 "cat no JA5557" dated 1954 has the older cage with screws holding the cage rods, not peined over. It also has the later hood - but I suspect a later substitution. I believe that the design changed circa '54 to bascially what is the M1.
Lurvely lamps .. slight differences ... but hey ho ... I picked up a 305 about 2 years ago , it was marked in original blue platoon paint on one side and white markings .. It works wonderful and a " go to " lamp ... in fact probably one of the only ones I have which will last all night .. 1952 dated 69 yrs old ..say no more
Since this one is stamped 1955, it would still be a Vapalux. The partnership btwn W&B and Aladdin broke up in 1968.
Give me a Vapalux/Bialaddin any day. They are proof that simplicity is the key to consistent performance. They just work, and don't take much fettling to get them going from long disuse. No wonder the military gave the contract to W&B...... That's not a swipe at Tilley though, they are good looking lamps and I need more time with them, as I don't have many of them in my collection.
And this is how confusion is spread. The Vapalux M1 was introduced in the late 60's, after Aladdin Industries left and with them, the Bialaddin moniker. It simply does not make sense to refer to an M1 frame to indicate similar looking lamps from the 50's. Rather, it is the other way around: the M1 has the Bialaddin 310 alloy version frame, newly introduced in 1954. And, there are of course older MOD lamps based on the last 300X model, so with a brass cage. Correct! Military stock or article numbers were stamped into the lamps as requested by the military, but did not make it a different model lamp. Unfortunately W&B -or Aladdin Industries - made it a confusing mess to introduce the 305 model that was nearly identical to the latest version of the 300X. So with screwed, not swaged, cage rods, the recently introduced two-piece ventilator but with a new size, smaller filler cap of 1". Likely the military did want to keep the bigger sized filler opening, so from then on (1950-ish) there were two near identical models 305 but with different size filler caps (1"and 1 1/4"), that, again, looked (nearly) identical as the last 300X. Then, when the alloy framed 310 model was introduced early 1954, the military did not like it and thus, the Bialaddin 305-II appeared, albeit with the new alloy frame, but with the old cylindrical glass and big filler cap. This military model continued parallel to the other civil model 310, 315 and 320 untill Aladdin Industries called it quits. Also, on this Bialaddin-II model, W&B introduced the one-piece hood, likely to come up with a cheaper lamp the military would be pleased with. This model ventilator eventually appeared in other colours like red and black for the civil market. Although it has been suggested that W&B kept the Vapalux brand in their dealings with the military, no such Vapaluxes have turned up (yet) and all military lamps during the 'reign' of Aladdin Industries are Bialaddin versions. With Aladdin Industries out of the picture, perhaps as early as 1966/67, the Bialaddin 320 became the Vapalux 320, and the Bialaddin 305-II became the Vapalux M-1. Supposedly there were some initial M-1's with the 1 1/4"filler opening, but basicly all M-1 have the 1" version.
Continuing the story - I have seen 1970 MOD Vapalux lanterns marked "21C" with a different catalogue number L29-6558. These have the alloy frame and a smaller filler cap.
The above info is based on the book by Ian Ashton, and by looking at lamps offered for sale in several countries for several years, that mainly confirmed his findings. Ian also suggests that the Vapalux M1 was not always marked as such, with the military by far the biggest client who preferred their own markings like "21C" usually in tandem with a year of manufacture. I believe most M1-marked lamps lack the year of production, perhaps a strict ommision on any civil lamp. The civil M1-marked lamp appeared with a grey tank, two piece ventilator in green and cylindrical globe with a white logo, which was a return of the original logo seen in 1940/41. Chromed tank versions appeared with black ventilators. The military version with green tank and blank glass, and the one-piece ventilator in green. But as always, the simple interchangeability of parts makes for many exceptions encountered today, something W&B practised too if necessary to fill orders. The M1, or 310 framed lamp was discontinued at the end of the 70's, and with that, the disappearance of the two-piece ventilator (or rather, two parts spot-welded together) that originally was introduced around 1949 on the Bialaddin 300X. In retrospect it would have been so much more clear if W&B would have ended the production of the Bialaddin 300X with the multi-holed ventilator with screwed-on top in red or black (and swaged cage rods) as it made for a distinct model, together with the hexagon air buttons. The introduction of the new two-piece ventilator in green enamel with round air buttons did bring a new distinct silhouette and, to my mind, should have been named the 305 already instead of the continued 300X. But then, this also could have been a works' bitza, albeit a vast one. The entertaining thing about such a small company like W&B, that clearly worked with the principle of economy in mind, is the unclearity of models, despite the bold change towards (cheaper) alloy frames, something no other producer of pressure lamps to my mind ever did.
Yes, by all means: I found it the best investment as in 'the most used' of all my W&B items. Thanks to the labours by Ian, the small, if not tiny company of W&B can boast of an exclusive book in depth about the company and their products, with colourfull illustrations of advertisements as well, another appealing factor for me to collect some of their lamps. Save for a listing of Tilley products in book form by Jim Dick, regrettably any other book on other brands is not available as far as I am aware of. Then again, considering the amount of work and vast time it would take, rather understandable, and with that, the realisation and appreciation of what Ian Ashton has achieved.
I agree Ian and Jim created great guide books but there are others. The ICCC produced an excellent guide to Coleman products in 2015 which I think is still available. http://intlccc.net/information/iccc-coleman-book/ Cheap it ain't and the postage outside the US is serious but it is a pretty good guide. Also somewhere around here I have a book on Australian Aladdin lamps which does give quite good info on the pressure lamps. ::Neil::
Another one to mention: Ron Brown, Kerosene Pressure Lanterns covering Coleman and Petromax, but also Aladdin lamps. Can be found in Amazon for a cheap price. Matthias
Aha, I simply overlooked the good chance the Coleman society would have something on offer. Indeed not cheap, but a good investment nevertheless if Coleman has one's interest. Niche books are rarely rewarding financially for the authors, despite the often mature prices that in this case I find rather acceptable for what is offered. Such a book might stop you purchasing some lamps to satisfy your curiosity, so there is ground for recuperating as well.
Neil, do you mean Allin Hodson's seminal work on Aladdin in Australia, "Aladdin Kerosene Lamps in Australia" (1999: ISBN 0 646 37755 8). Allin's work is principally on wick lamps, but he does include an important section on pressure lamps (pages178 to197). There are a few errors in there (as in we now know the imported Aladdins are Radius, and the Aussie-made Aladdin 1A is a Radius 119 copy), but it’s a good reference, none the less. On a side note, Allin was my academic supervisor at University; a friend; and an all-round good person. Cheers Tony
Yeah that's the one. Allin's book only covers that Aus Aladdin but is pretty good. A few errors maybe but as soon as you publish anything it will always be so as I know only too well. ::Neil::
The above mentioned books are all very good, though the Coleman is my favourite though I would love it to be extended to include the Australian made Colemans. I would add that Ron Brown also did, amongst his other fuel based books, one titled, 'Book 5: Coleman Gas Lanterns'. This is quite separate to his 'Book 6: Kerosene Pressure Lanterns' already mentioned by @LatMag49 Iain
@Sedgman You are right to point out Ron Brown's book 5 as well, interesting for all Coleman users. I got one myself. Matthias
On your recommendation I bought it, Matthias, inexpensively as you say. Ron is clearly knowledgeable and his writing style is very enjoyable. Best of all, I like his readiness to explore and explain his topic at every turn. Consequently, he entertains as well as informs. Thank you for making me aware of it. John
@Fireexit1 Indeed, Chris, and on the back of the ‘kero pressure lantern’ title, which is proving to be a good read, I’ve ordered his ‘Coleman gas lanterns’ and ‘alcohol lanterns’ books. At under £6 each they’re not an extravagance. The kerosene conversions chapter of the first book made it a ‘must read’ given the Coleman 290A I successfully converted to burn paraffin and a Coleman 295 suitable for fuelling on denatured alcohol (a friend takes only a meths stove camping and wanted a lantern to use the same fuel) prompted my interest in the meths lantern title. Finding my own solutions to those projects before I discovered the books won’t dilute my pleasure at reading someone else’s experience doing the same.
he he - I knew I was lost once I knew about them. Just ordered the four of them. My Ashton book turned up today from Blurb as well.
