I found this lamp in my loft it was still in its box with all its accessories. i was wondering how it works and is it rare,,
It is not extremely rare for me living in Sweden. The box and all indicates it was purchased at a retailer and not from military or civil defence surplus stocks. The glass cylinder is quite rare though and also the quick lighter is of older making. Regards Matti (from Sweden)
Welcome aboard! That is a lucky find, it's not a rare model, but it has it's box and spares and they are usually missing, it runs on paraffin/kerosene and it can be pre heated using the rapid pre heating blow torch or by my preferred method with meths in the meths trough. The link below shows the relevant page for instructions, but the library is only open to subscribers. Optimus
These were sold in the UK and whilst not common they do turn up now and then. If I remember right the brass finish suggests a later example perhaps from the 1980s or later. Nice lantern and they do work well but if it's been stored for a long time the seals are likely to need replacing so a pressure test first is essential. ::Neil::
Small size, Positive fuel shut-off and (swivel lever) rapid pre-heat torch. Very practical for travelling and camping.
I didn’t think this had a positive shut off... I have too but I can’t find it right now. They are a really nice compact little lantern.
Yes, it is one of the few Euro lanterns that does. Brass on brass needle valve on the spindle. Quite different from other Petromax style lanterns. See https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/optimus-pressure-lanterns.18426/ It is Part no. 105u. Complete spindle assy 114u which screws into lower vaporiser 144. 144 does not have a foot valve like other lanterns fitted with a rapid pre-heat torch. Thanks @Tony Press for uploading this!
Thanks to you all, appreciate it. That’s what’s so great about this site; you learn something new every day!
They are not in a 1975 catalogue but are in a 1979 price list, so they started somewhere in the late 1970s. The later version of the 1200M with the Px style quick starter and Hiplolito parts is from the late 1980s. The 3/4 frosted glass on the 1200M in this thread is standard, but the later 1200M had a full frosted glass.
