Dears, Please find below Petromax R 823 DR. I could not find R 823 and/or R 823 DR model mentioned anywhere. Most likely it was manufactured before 1927, so maybe 1925-1926. It has to be older then my other 823/6 DR which are from 1927 and 1928. Most likely "DR" on the tank stands for "Deutschen Reichsbahn" - a German Railways version. I get that lamp without the top parts, so the top of the lamp (inner casing, hood etc.) is my replacement from a very old 826 which I had miraculously for spares. Lamp bail/handle and centering disk are my replacements as well. At the beginning I added just regular bail from 826, but decided copy a “railway bail” with wooden handle – just like my other DR Petromax lamps. Carpenter offered to make a wooden handle for 30EUR and 10-15 days to wait for it. I told him that I will buy a lathe for that money and will make handle myself. If not succeed I will go back to him. So I ordered some NOS German accessory lathe for my drill. Before it arrived I tried using my drill with stand as a lathe substitution and angle grinder and mini grinder as a chisel substitution . Several hours of trying different methods and tools and it was ready. Not perfect, but I decided to use it - just because to give to that lamp that memorable handle. I repaired the tank (ideas for fixing old Petromax tank ) and soldered hood in many places. I made and added missing part that holds the lamp bail. As I had not a lathe I made that part from brass rod using drill with stand (again as a lathe substitution ) and angle grinder (as a chisel substitution). That funny screw holding the wheel is most likely not orginal, but I like it and decided to keep it It was many times during fettling of that lamp that something was good enough for me… and then I just thought that some of you would make it much better, so I made it again, and again etc. Some differences from most/younger Petromax lamps: - fuel filler cap - lamp bail attached in different way to the cage - nothing written on the cap of the built-in spirits container - pump shaft is narrower and shorter then in other Petromax lamps. I have to pump 2-3 times more to get usual pressure. Pumps from “regular” and 823/6 Px lamps are to big and to long. - different conducting rod - additional tiny steel washer on the eccentric shaft - unusual needle was found inside - PS5 vaporizer – flat loop is less efficient then regular helix shape. I have to keep mantle close to the vaporizer. - sliding ring inside the frame I presume that this lamp had steel tank bottom like other "regular" Petromax 823. I presume it had different J-tube and hood like in "regular" Px 823. At the last picture I attached such a hood - with big central "bump" between screws. It belongs to another, "regular" Px823 lamp. Lamp runs on approx. 300CP jet and 500CP mantle. Size, shape and location of the mantle is important to avoid problems with that lamp. In general it is an interesting piece of Petromax history. If anybody has some more info regarding Petromax 823 / R823 / R823 DR models, other examples etc. then please let me know. Due to several missing parts and no available documentation, this lamp still remains some mystery, and honestly, I like that aspect of it. All the best, Piotrek
You have been very fortunate to find a Petromax R823. I'm not too sure but it might have been a very early model that was not produced in great numbers before they phased it out for the R823/6. As with many such Petromax which might date as early as 1927 or earlier, info might be a little scarce or hard to come by. Other members might happen to have some bits of information in their archives. Good luck.
Info regarding old Petromax lamps included in the thread below: Ehrich & Graetz 882 Petromax 823 dated from 1925, so most likely R version was manufactured between 1925 and 1926.
In my opinion "regular" Petromax 823 was discussed in thread below: identification please OK, that particular lamp was not marked as a Petromax, but it has to be Petromax. I know two other examples, but with Petromax logo. I wonder if there were a Petromax R 823 but not "DR" version...
Hi @Piotrek . I followed with interest the topic about your repair of the tank of this rare lamp. I am impressed with your determination and ability to handle the restoration of the missing parts. Congratulations on your valuable find and successful repair!
@MYN Thank you. A lucky find indeed. I prioritized those old lamps, regardless of condition. @Knee - compared to your work I'm a total amateur and ignorant of aesthetics, but at least determined to make progress. Chiseling with an angle grinder has given me such unforgettable moments At least I didn't do it at the dining room table and went to the basement
You are not alone. I pretty used the same equipment plus an oxy-acetylene torch to fashion a whole cleaning needle for a Coleman lantern. I used a 1.6mm(about 1/16") stainless steel TIG filler rod and basically ground and shape it to size using the above. Grinding the rod-end down to 0.20mm for the pricker side with an angle grinder was certainly not an easy task.
Hi Piotrek, unfortunately there is only one piece of information about the Petromax R 823 in my E&G archive and it dates back to 1932. Neither before nor after does this exact lantern appear again. It looks like the R 823 was developed especially for the Deutsche Reichsbahn and other railroads. On the left side of the brochure you can read: - Stations of the state and private railroads - Repair workshops, depots and other departments - for auxiliary equipment wagons - for high-beam lighting of track work, etc. Greetings Jörg
Thanks @MYN . You guys are definitely an inspiration for me. @Jörg Wekenmann thank you for very much that document. It concerns R 823/6. I have two R 823/6 and these lamps differ from R823 and 823 as listed in my post. Even pumps from R823/6 will not fit inside the R823 - too wide and too long. It seems that there were significant design changes (pump, frame, all brass tank etc.) introduced by Petromax after 823 and R823 models.
Your big old Petromax collection has grown again. Your collection is full of rare items. Amazing. By the way, my 824 also had no markings on the cap of the preheating fuel container.
