This is what I think is an early rendition of the Handi Kero-Pet Model 3 Lantern. I say this because it has most of the features seen on the illustration of a Handi instruction sheet where the address is given as Compo Road (which was later renamed Evans Road). An Evans Road brochure I have shows the Model 3 with some different features (the bail and the vent nut). This is a kerosene Kero-Pet ("kerosine" on the lamp name plate). For the uninitiated, Kero-Pet = kerosene-petrol (gasoline in Australian). "PAT NO. 125248/45" Up and Running Testing. With a test mantle (too large). Running with an Austramax 300cp mantle - good light! Handi Kero-Pet parts The lantern above does not have the insect screens (H231), but when I was testing it (it came to me fettled) I found that one of the air tubes was blocked by wasp mud right at the top of the arch where the two air tubes meet. It ran much brighter after clearing the mud out. In the illustration below, from a "Compo Road" brochure, the early vent nut that is on the lantern above is illustrated; and there is a cheese head screw locking the cage down, whereas the lantern above has a domed screw. The domed screw is shown in later illustrations. The Patent for this lantern burner is shown here: https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/handi-patent-application-no-20-360-australia-1945.11508/ Cheers Tony
Maybe not quite as early as you think. The burner, tripod and cage base is from around 1953/54 (the burner casting itself was used from 1949 to 1954) and is the fourth variation of that. This would put it in about the middle of the evolution. How much do you know about the history of the lamp? I ask because I believe the label to be much later than the rest. My information indicates that label was introduced in the 1970s. I don't think I have ever seen a cheese head screw on a Handi lantern. All the ones I have are domed. Even the SwiftLites. I have a couple of instructions from the Compo Road period which show a domed nut. The only instructions I have a copy of that show the cheese head nut are for a shellite version.
@Nils Stephenson That’s great information, thanks. There’s every chance this lantern has been repaired and/or assembled from parts, so your observations are indeed relevant. It’s actually the first Handi I’ve ever got going, and, as I said above, it actually came to me fettled — I only needed to clear one air tube to get it burning properly. Cheers Tony
