Tilley PL53

Hi all looking forward to fettling my latest pl53 could anyone tell me if all the parts and hood are original to this lamp?

 

That is a fine restoration project and the lantern dates to the early 1930's and it all appears to be original, but I would like to see some more images of the pump, that style of globe carrier is rare, it's a pity that the brass coil on the handle is broken, but a replacement could be made.

 

Hi Jeff I'll send some more pics of pump, do you think the hood is original it's a lighter shade than my other pl53 ,also the rim of the globe is slightly bigger than the wire cage,the tank looks like its painted in creosote .

 

@col
As far as I can tell, I think your PL53 is all original. You have a fine fettling project ahead of you and I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Enjoy
Pete

 

I’ve never seen the old all-brass control cock on a PL53 before.

 

Catalogues from 1932 to 1939 describe the PL53 being "Strongly made of stout brass, there are no parts which can rust, corrode or get out of order".

I however do not believe a 1939 PL53 did not have an enamelled hood.

Your lamp is from 1932 to 193?.

Be interesting to see the glass cleaned up.

Very nice find.

 

It looks good.
That style of pump and the two-ridge brass knob control cock on the long riser dates it to approx 1933/34.
The globe carrier is not common, nice to see one in-situ.
It may have had an all-brass hood, but im not sure, I have seen both during this period.

Great lantern
Alec.

 

Jean, you made me have a second look, cols lamp is 1932-1933.

 

Thanks all maybe the globe is a replacement its a Tilley 182 GTCI we're they around in the thirtys, thanks for the pic Anthony I can use it to reshape the handle,I've never had one of these control cocks before it seems to have a ball bering inside. So the hood is original?.

 

GTC I believe is Glass Tubes and Components and are from the early 60s.

It does.


Hood being original, maybe, possibly, could be.

 

Thanks Anthony do you know if the lamp would of been painted or shiny brass finish?.

 

That should be an easy answer but I don't know.
Have a look at your lamp crannies, especially underneath, to see if there are any signs of gold paint.
The pump crannies often give good clues too.

 

Hi Col,
That is a nice old Tilley

I believe that the earlier cage/glass holder had a smaller diameter to suit the lip of the earlier teardrop shaped glass ?
You can get repro glasses/globes from the base camp but you will have to verify the size of the lip first? Unless others here already know??

good luck with the fettle

ps original glass globes do turn up from time to time :-)

 

Looks original to me all parts seem to be of the correct time periods
The hood tho tatty is right too
Early hoods were a lighter brown colour as this is,also the distance from the top of the air buttons to the top rim or bulge is greater than the later darker brown hoods
Nice PL
cheers pete

 

Thank to everyone for your great knowledge and expertise, I've cleaned all the grime off the tank and it has a copper coloured patina ,think I should leave as,or shiny Brass? Thought's appreciate thanks.

 

It's up to you whatever appeals but myself I would not polish it shows its age and a lovely colour

 

Yes I agree Pete, leave the pump and control cock the same?.

 

I would def leave it as is. Nice!

 

Thanks for posting those pump photos Col and I thought that was the type of pump which was fitted, that bayonet cap which retains the pump's NRV., is hard to find and they have a habit of springing off when worked with.

 

Yes Jeff I've had a little trouble with the nrv tension in the spring but got it working now no leaks ,I've had it working without a mantle and just realised that type of control cock is just a pricker and can't be used for on off ,or am I wrong.

 

That control cock has an NRV., so it can be used to shut off the lantern, but it's always best to release the pressure when the lantern is not in use and I unscrew the pump and just have it sitting in the aperture.
I also leave the control cock in the open position as that lets the paraffin which is still in the vapouriser run back into the tank.

 

Ok mine doesn't switch off
Many thanks.

 

Hello Col, I have had at least two of those control cocks which were faulty, they may just have been worn out, it's many years since I had them so I don't recall the precise details.

 

It should do, on the other end of the part marked green is a small brass cup which holds a rubber pip just like the one in the pump valve. Unscrew the part marked red and all will be revealed.

 

Hi mate very nice looking lamp you have there.
I have a question for you what did you use to clean the tank with?

 

Thanks Henry I have changed the pip with a new one .I'll have another fiddle later today. Hi buggerlugs I cleaned the tank with vinegar and there were splashes of cement that were hard to shift without showing the brass underneath so I used brick acid to sofen .

 

Thanks that fount sure came up well, did you just put the vinger on a rag and wipe down?

 

No I soaked the hole tank in a bucket of diluted vinegar for about an hour.