Dietz Vesta (railroad type) wick lantern

Discussion in 'Open Forum' started by presscall, Sep 7, 2020.

  1. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

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    I’m very impressed with the light output of this recent acquisition, a Dietz Vesta ‘lo-top’.

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    I’m trying to make out a very faint date stamp on the lid below patent dates (also very faint) but I’m looking for a format such as S-3-43 (Syracuse factory, March 1943).

    Judging purely by eye at least, the Dietz with its 3/8-inch wide wick puts out at least as much light as a Chalwyn Tropic (1/2-inch wick) with which I’m more familiar. Dietz on the right.

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    I like too the chisel top to the Dietz flame ...

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    ... compared to the spear-shaped Chalwyn’s.

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    Both wicks are trimmed the same, so its attributable to airflow management I guess.

    John
     
  2. Gary Waller

    Gary Waller Subscriber

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    Both nice lamps, the Dietz are particularly well made.
     
  3. Walkop Australia

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    Nice lantern.
     
  4. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Varying the lighting, I come up with S-9-43 (Sept 1943) for the date.

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  5. Nils Stephenson

    Nils Stephenson Founder Member

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    Looks like 42 to me.
     
  6. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

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    ... and 42 to me, also.

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    Tony
     
  7. Sellig33

    Sellig33 France Subscriber

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    Yes, 42 !!!
     
  8. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

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  9. Sellig33

    Sellig33 France Subscriber

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  10. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Fine old lanterns!:thumbup:
     
  11. WimVe

    WimVe Subscriber

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    Nice lanterns with a basic flaw: the way the tank is mounted to the frame.
    It accumulate moisture on that spot.
    I once bought 8 NOS frames where top but half of them had the tank stuck to the frame by rust. Also the metal of the recevoir loves pinholes. The metal is to thin and or the finish not thick enough.
     
  12. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom Subscriber

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    Yes indeed. This one of mine evidently didn’t fall prey to tin worm. Not bad for something from 1942 made of tin plated steel. It won’t be left outside in the rain in my care, but I’ve slathered on some grease as a precaution, which also eases up the fuel tank’s twist-off-twist-on action.

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    No pinholes.

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    Got better lighting for the ‘date year’ photo, ‘42.

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  13. Gary Waller

    Gary Waller Subscriber

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    @presscall I have just had a look at the one I have, the markings look like SS-3-45 so does that make the lamp March 1945?
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  14. george

    george United States Subscriber

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    Yes, March 1945! Syracuse Plant. If you find one with an "M", it stands for Main office. These are harder to come by than the S marked ones.
     
  15. David Shouksmith

    David Shouksmith United Kingdom Founder Member

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    Jeez, Christmas day 1928 and someone had nothing better to do than go to work and approve a patent... :roll: :doh:
     
  16. george

    george United States Subscriber

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    I think lantern makers thought the more patent dates the more impressive the lantern. Some of those dates could be for various "minor" improvements, etc.
    :-k
     
  17. Gary Waller

    Gary Waller Subscriber

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    Cheers @george i had another one but sold it last year, never knew about about the date markings:doh:
     

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