Can anyone identify this lamp? It only writes on the ceramic burner Germany 200 250. Nothing else. Notice that the turning knob for the needle is not plastic. Also do you think that the "rusty" parts are rust? I thought that brass does not rust. What is the proper question to the seller, I mean what would you ask him? He asks for 50 euros.
It might not be a Petromax at all. Its Petromax-styled for sure but a lot of the parts don't really match up. No stampings on the fount. Collar/frame, pump, pricker control knob are all unlike the Petromax. At most, the hood can be taken from a 200/350hk Petromax or clone.
Thanks MYN. So it will not be easy/possible to fettle it. Better to forget about it. By the way, does brass rust? I am curious.
Brass will tarnish to dark/blackish or form some greenish patina or verdigris due to oxidation/carbonation. If you mean rust is red rust, then brass won't have it.
But then the above image of this lamp (and others I see on ebay) confuse me. They are brass but clearly they have spots covered with red oxides that imply rust. The second picture above has this "rust". What is going on? As I said I have seen this on many items sold on ebay too.
The fount will be brass, other parts (like the collar) might be made of thin iron sheet. Mostly, these lanterns were (nickel or chrome) plated. Depending on quality, the plating can wear off and the underlying metal will rust (often, it is the rusting of the steel that "pushes off" the plating).
Ah, OK this now makes sense. So when a seller says "brass" it does not mean it is 100%. I guess that reputable brands like Petromax they mean brass when the say "brass". Right? (except parts such as the burner device). Because the person who tries to sell the above lamp says it is "brass". But clearly it is not (except the found). ---thanks.
On the other hand, it can sometimes be hard to tell just from pictures. I've seen brass that looks reddish or copperish and not too different from red iron rust. For example, this can look rust-reddish in the pictures but can can still be made of brass:- A loss of zinc from partially corroded brass hoods can make them look copperish/reddish or even rust-like. I have some hoods that actually appear like the one in the picture but its not rust. Nevertheless, this doesn't necessarily mean that the one above isn't steel.
Generally you should ask or better interrogate a seller about the quality or lack off it before you buy anything. Especially with sellers who say that they don't have any knowledge about it.
