As I collect Tilley lamps I was offered some Tilley parts yesterday and seen these pair of Bialaddin's. Thought to myself those look interesting and decided to take them home. With some quick research on the forums, I believe they are Bialaddin 305's what year they are I do not have a clue, the colours are another thing that has me puzzled, they seem to have a gold base and then painted green, the one on the right actually has two shades of green. Also been reading there are civilian and military types and hope someone would know and what colour they should e and are they worth restoring in this condition as I like to light my lamps weekly.
According to Ian Ashton's book Vapalux and Bialaddin Pressure Lamps, the 305 was introduced about 1951 and lasted until 1954. The 1 inch diameter filler cap indicates 'civilian' - the military version being 1.25 inches. The gold colour is where the paint has worn off to reveal the brass underneath. Different shades of green ? Different batches of bought-in paint. Seals available from The Fettlebox and you can get a new wick for the lantern on the left from www.base-camp.co.uk
My wife looked over and saw me looking at this post and said 'Phwaor, that's a nice pair of 305's you've got there!' I love my Mrs!
There is however, something real fishy going on here... Where's the top part of the frame? the posts?? top ring with bail??
@Henry Plews thank you for the information, had a wee quick look there and now I know both are 'civilian'. Will have a good look at those site's you have mentioned as by looking at other posts I could be missing a few parts which I hope to source easily. Pat
@isfuzzy haven't a clue what these lamps have or need, more used to Tilley's. Thanks will have a nosey into that.
It's probably best to look in the Lamp Reference Gallery for yourself to see the complete examples shown there but, essentially, four globe cage uprights, the globe cage top ring including handle attachments and the handle itself. Oh, and a globe. That's for each lantern...
They would indeed, these are the only pair I have and that in itself is kind of giving me the incentive to save them, sure will be a challenge lol
Vapalux Bialaddin cages do come up on the bay quite often, or from donor lamps with messed up tanks and stuff. I did piece together a 300X from just a bunch of parts sold to me by Carl.
Had a look earlier, did see a handle for one but I can't be bothered with the auction end of things sometimes, anyways did order two seal sets to test the tanks. Then if all is well start gathering up bits and pieces
A little update on the pair of 305's. Seals arrived the other day so tested one of the lamps today, managed to get it up and running as you can see the vaporiser is in bad shape and took quite a while to get all the dirt out. Will fit the seals to the other one tomorrow and if all goes well, I'll go ahead and restore these two. Will be fun trying to get the handles, rings and frame supports now. I'll probably need to start a new thread for my work in progress, updates etc
Well it works! You know what... I imagine this was as far as Tilley got when they were building the PL53 and they thought... bu&&er it, this'll do, bung a cage on it and sell 'em!
@ColinG lol it was as far as I got. I was given my Grandparents PL53 in a table lamp mode which I've added a globe, heat deflector and handle. Currently love the way it looks and don't want to change it, my favourite lamp.
Thought It would be better updating work in progress here instead of creating a new thread, new thread will be the reference one all being well Managed to get two hoods that look a lot better than the originals. Had originally planned a port and starboard theme as these lamps are being part of a pair. I know you can get new red and green hoods from the other side of the world but I will not rule out doing something with the two spares. Eventually got a brass frame to match the tanks, will show them when they are ready for the reference library. Just need another brass frame and two handles, if anyone has any lying about I'll make a good home for them And not forgetting the vaporiser's, not easily got as Tilley one's I've found out. Pleased the points are still intact.
You are getting there. It will all come together suddenly at the end and you will be very happy no doubt! cheers Chris
Thanks @Fireexit1, actually things have been starting to move at a pace now. One of the lamps is nearly finished which I'm really pleased with the results, the other is in bit's but being worked on and another member is kindly helping out with some parts. Hopefully not too long now to show some proper progress.
