Hi folks, I'd just like to ask for some opinions here about the lamp pictured in this post. I'm fully aware that some people will regard what I have done as heresy, but the point to keep in mind is that nothing has been done that can't be easily undone. The lamp, as described in another post, is pretty certainly an IL47 - and it came to me with an undecorated font, and incorrect chain suspension. It also lacked a heat-deflector. I intend to make the proper suspension struts, and hanging loop etc. which I think I can do reasonably well, but I have just acquired a lantern part from "Tilley Lamps and Stoves" which, although part for another type of lamp is almost identical to the circular heat deflector of the IL47, except it's BLACK (and beautifully made and reasonably priced!) Here's my dilema: Apart from the burner gallery (and stopcock knob) there seems to be little difference between the IL47 and the IL33. The suspension, the font, the fuel arm and reflector seem common to both models, and since the condition of the copper font is not that spectacular, I decided to paint it. For my own reasons, I FAR prefer the black font with exposed copper band, and have had a go at doing this. I also prefer the onion globe to the conical frosted one, as often seen with the IL47 This will mean that the black deflector will match, but I will end up with a hybrid. My question is how likely would such a lamp such as this turn up? Maybe an IL33 could have had its gallery replaced, and a new deflector added at some time - in which case I guess what I have could be considered "permissable" Also, is it possible that the early IL47s WERE black and copper, in which case only the deflector (and possibly the gallery) are "wrong". What do people think? I am getting prepared to be shouted at, BUT all I have done is to paint it, and a more fastidious owner could easily return it to the proper green and gold if they wanted to. All comments appreciated.
I think it looks great and works well. Like you say you have done nothing that was not aleady done to it apart from paint it. And that is reversable.
Its your lamp you do whatever you like with it. Looks fine to me i like the black n copper look on donuts Pete
It looks splendid to me! In my opinion, the lamps which we find have been around for many decades now and most will have had several previous owners and folk did what was required to keep their lamps working and they would have used the parts which were available at those times, so any combination is possible. Here in Shetland the power was slow in reaching the remote areas of these islands and I have come across many home made modifications which kept the lamps burning, folk needed light.
Excellent job, as they say it's your lamp and it is. In my collection I would say that 70% of my lamps have been fully restored, re-prainted and polished. Some lamps are waiting for the reflectors to be resprayed and they will be completed. We try our best to get as close to original colour as possible, and a nice polish to finish the lamp off. Some common lamps I have also changed from the original colour as well, mainly X246 models. My lamps will be going to my son, who is the other part of team Buggerlugs, so they will hopefully be in the family for generations to come. Why am I saying this? The reason is both my son and I love doing this and enjoy the results. (Forum Members please don't take this the wrong way, as we always appreciate your guidance, help and comments) In the end they are our lamps or your lamps and it doesn't matter what other people have to say, we are the one's that have to live with our decisions and results. I also don't believe I have had more than a couple of negative comments from Forum Members. I love this Forum.
