Got these 2 reasonably complete Tilley lamps. Both are in good working condition. Both have "Tilley" and "manufactured in United Kingdom" stamped on the side of the tanks. The lamp on the right in the pic has a cracked glass and is stamped "972xB" on the bottom. I presume this is the date stamp for month 9 and year 1972? The lamp on the left is stamped "1076", so I presume year 1976 then? When was the 1st x246 produced and then also the last (production period)? Thanks! Are they the x246 models?
Great finds. Chrome looks in mint condition. This model (x246b) is still in production. I believe they started making these back in 1964.
Long production run for the x246B! When was the 1st x246 produced? Got this 3rd (and older) lamp, but unfortunately modified by the previous owner to take a light bulb when parts could not be found. No date stamps or markings anywhere and "Tilley England" stamped on side of tank. I presume then older than 1956?
When Tilley moved operations to Belfast around 1962 (?) From Henden, it was no longer "Tilley England" but "Tilley United Kingdom". [Think I got that right - someone will correct me if I'm wrong]. That will help in dating the lantern.
The first X-246 lantern was introduced in 1946 and it had the pork pie tank and a brass cage and handle and hood, (the hood's heat deflector was made from enamelled steel), the link below shows the relevant page. X246
@Eben Welcome from Queensland Australia. Nice looking X246Bs, I noticed the difference in the pump knobs, both are correct. Now you’ll have to find some mates for them. Enjoy. Cheers Pete
There are two slightly different X246Bs. Originally with a three ring guard they dropped the mid globe cage ring in 1976. The B was sold from Dec 1964 to about 1976 with a three ring guard and then with the mid ring missing from at least September 1977 to now. ::Neil::