Just bought this Tilley, and need to get it up and running. I wonder what color the tank has from the factory. What does PL. Does that mean pressurelamp. Is it a PL 53 or a PL 53s? Will appreciate an answer. Have a really good day Tom
That looks like the original paint to me. I believe silver was a common colour for the PL 53 steel tank and yes, PL stands for pressure lantern.
I did not know there was a PL53S. If so the "S" must be for steel. Did you get the "S" information from a catalogue ??
@Anthony Hi Thanks for the answers. No. I do not have the s from a catalogue. I have seen the designation on this page. Tilley PL53's Tom
Tom, I think that would be S for plural. I hope not. I prefer the S for steel. I wonder what others know.
@Anthony Thanks for the answer Of course it is Anthony. My English is not good. I use Google translate extensively, and it does not always translate correctly. Tom
Hi Tom That’s a great survivor from WW2 era as I’m sure you know with lots of steel parts as the brass was needed for the war effort, the steel tank was ‘tinned’ and painted silver.. some were painted (airforce?) grey and both had the decal instructions as did the steel Vapalux tanks Nice to see it’s all original, great condition considering
In my opinion, PL means portable lantern/lamp. That is a WW2., steel PL-53 and if you check the threads which the control cock's gland nut screws onto they may be made from steel, I use a magnet to check. The WW2., era lamps are interesting as they were often made from a mixture of brass and steel parts, that was because of wartime shortages.
@Tom Pedersen Here is my fettle of an PL53 that was found covered with army khaki paint. It may be some help to you. Tilley Steel PL53 – Fettle Cheers Pete
@AussiePete Hi Pete. A really good description of a Fettle project. Thank you very much for that. Tom
