Hello all, I thought it was about time to get this PL53 up and running, she's been in the queue for sometime now. After speaking to some members, I am told it's a Tilley WWII PL53. For these reasons: firstly having the very older burner, The XN control cock valve, with the brass knob and the Registered Design number found on Tilley tanks of that period. Here is a photo as found, I believe she is in very good condition, after the fettle we will know for sure. Time to dismantle her, here are some shots of all the parts. These PL53 lamps just seem to keep on going, no matter what. A very easy fettle, all the major or minor steps involved, like cleaning the fuel tub, washing out the fount, I use marbles for this job, they seem to work well for me. Two flushes and the fount was all clean, then I used the compresser to blow out all the debris and dust. Next I change all the seals, the seals where like concrete, but I got them out eventually. Cleaned out the vaporiser which looked in excellent condition for its age. Now it's time to reassemble and check out the burner and vaporiser. Looks good to me time to add a mantle and get this baby working again. Here are the final results of my fettle. The stamp may be hard to see, and a slight crack on the rim. Thanks for looking.
I do like the PL53 lamps. I thought the WWII lamps usually had a steel tank, the XN control cock maybe from an earlier lamp.
@Buggerlugs This is an interesting lantern as it has features of 1940+ PL53s and some pre-1940 features. The angled bail fittings on the tank are said to have been used from 1940 onwards (previous to that the “straight up” bail was used. But your PL53 has the the long XN control cock, which fits your lantern without modification, therefore that feature is pre-1940. After the change to the GF control cock (1940) the tank should have had a smaller (shallower) space in which to screw the control cock. The Registered Design number doesn’t help age the lantern as Tilley kept these on some tanks into the 1940s even though it expired in 1937. Maybe you have a “crossover” PL53 from around 1940. @Sellig33 The number is “Rd 681681” which is a British Registered Design number. Cheers Tony @Mackburner @Anthony
@Tony Press You are probably correct mate. I appreciate your advice and others as well any imput is always good to have. So I can put the correct date on the lamp before it goes in the Reference Gallery. Here is an identical lamp in the Reference Gallery as well. Tilley PL53 Looks like there are two so far, I'll be happy if it's a cross over lamp either way. @Gary Waller I thought the same about the steel founts.
@Buggerlugs After a bit more digging today, I think your lantern is 1940 with low chance it was later. Tony
@Tony Press Thanks mate so that would put it early WWII then. Do you still believe it's a crossover PL53 lamp? Thanks for your help.
