I have what I think is a PL53 and was wondering if anyone can advise how old it is and if it is all original. I have polished it as it was in a terrible state and used vinegar to remove dirt and clean the hood. When cleaned the hood appeared to be made out of copper but I understand they were made out of brass could the copper colour be a result of using vinegar to clean it? Around the base is an incomplete number I can't make out completely, looks like 189 ( see photo ). The pump has what appears to be a letter 'E' and the plunger is brass but he collar that screws it to the tank is a silver colour is that correct? Any advice would be appreciated. Regards Bob
Bob Welcome to CPL. You have a PL53 from 1940 onwards. The existence of the incomplete Registered Design number on the rim places your lantern into the early 1940s. The copper colour in your hood should polish out if it’s caused by leaching of zinc from the brass (from soaking in vinegar), but if you light the lamp and use it, it will go black anyway after a while. I’m no help with your pump question as I’m not that familiar with this model. Cheers Tony @Bob Mawson
@Bob Mawson Welcome aboard the CPL from Queensland Australia. You have a nice PL53 there. Tony, above, has covered most of the information and like him, I have not encountered the letter "E" on a Tilley pump knob before. Maybe someone on this forum could help. Cheers Pete
The short handle nuts indicate it to be from later WW2 period (when brass was in short supply may also explain pump nut/collar, is it steel?)
Thanks all for help. I wonder if anyone can advise if the PL53 type ever used the 246 type glass as I have one with that glass but not sure if its correct. Can't find any pictures with that type glass but it fits the basket. Regards Bob
@Bob Mawson Bob, love those Tilley PL models. Yours if a fine example. I'm no expert when it comes to these, or any other lantern for that matter, but I like what I see and this is a winner!
Thanks George The thing about the pump knob with the E stamped on it, its not the usual type as they seem to be dished whilst this one is flat. I have many Tilley's but this is the only one with the flat knob.
@Bob Mawson Can you pull the pump out and show the full pump and a good side on shot of the pump knob, please. Cheers Tony
That's correct - except when, instead of getting the correct globe, folk butcher the PL53 globe cage to make the later 171 globe fit...
This is what it looks like and they're available on eBay and probably from the Fettlebox too. On eBay they have a buy now price of £14.99 + £3 postage which is about as cheap as you'll find. You might get lucky and find a seller who doesn't know what he's got and pick one up for a few quid, there again, you might not!
Nice lamp and good polishing work. I’ve never seen a steel ring collar on a 1940s PL53 fount before. Interesting.
