Hey all! In the process of renovating an Optimus 1300. What do you experts think about the age?1940 somewhere? Was surprised that it is chrome hat and not black / red. the lamp is really dirty with a nice interior. not lit many times.
Optimus 1300 was introduced about 1948-9 and was replaced with model 1350 by 1957. So late 1940s to the mid 1950s is as close as I can call it from the catalogues I have. ::Neil::
I think you will find that you should have used a 3 instead of a 4. The 1300 ws introduced around 1938-9. This one is the second variation so probably from around the early to mid 40s. It should normally have had a black enamelled top cap, but they have been seen with a nickel plated one. Optimus might have been out of stock of the black ones at some point (my own opinion).
Thanks, was there I wanted to place it after reading other posts from you. How do you see it is the second generation? Is it that the first was stamped 300? This is the third lamp I buy / renovate so now I can call myself a collector
Yes, being stamped 1300 on the tank is the main difference. There was also a small difference in the quick starter mechanism, but I don't have access to my normal computer at the moment so can't check. As soon as you have two, they usually start breeding.
