Hi all. I've always had in interest in old things and a appreciation for old technology, things like old tractors, old cars, old guns, old tools, old machines in general. For some reason in the last little while I've developed a fascination with pressure lamps and stoves. I've spend a lot of time in this forum the last couple weeks and learnt a lot. So I went digging around my mother's house looking for this old Tilley lamp that belonged to my Grandad. For as long as I could remember as a kid it lived on a high shelf in my grandparents kitchen. Then when they passed away over a decade ago my mother ended up with it. I remember taking a look at it at that time with the intention of getting it running but for whatever reason it got set aside and I never got back to it. I believe its an x246. Unfortunately its in worse shape than I remember. The glass is missing and I'm not sure if it had the glass before or not. The vapouriser I think is the wrong one, its too long, must be for another model. I recall when I looked at it last time there was another vapouriser that was the right length with it but I can't find it now. I gave it a bit of clean today and drained out some nasty old kerosene. As best as I can tell, to get it running I will need: - Seal kit - Correct vapouriser (5 inch?) - Glass - Mantle - Alcohol burner for preheating Parts seem to be a bit thin on the ground here in Australia. If any Australian members know of any good sources of parts here I'd love to hear about them. I found a reproduction glass from a local seller, and I can get a seal kit and mantles on ebay from Japan. The vapouriser and alcohol burner I think I might have to get out of the UK. The nickel plating on the fount is not in great shape. Is there anything much to be done about that or am I better to leave the patina? The enamel on the hood is not great either. Thanks for your help. Looking forward to getting this old girl running again.
Welcome aboard! That is a Tilley X-246 Guardsman lantern and it appears to be from the mid 1950's, but check the bottom of the tank for a date code, Tilley started to date code their lanterns sometime in 1956. The current vapouriser is a 169 which is usually fitted to table lamps and wall lamps etc., your lantern needs a 606 vapouriser, once the lantern is overhauled it should be reliable and there are several Australian members of this forum who may be able to assist you. The link below shows relevant paperwork, however, the library is only open to subscribers. https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1955-tilley-cat.421
Thanks Jeff. I have checked the bottom but can't locate any date code, so I guess it must be pre '56. I'll start hunting for a 606
So, the lantern was made after 1954, but before 1956 when they started to stamp the dates on the fount.
Welcome to CPL @TheGreenGunner As stated your lantern dates 1954 to 1956. For seals I can recommend Tilley Washer Kit - The Fettlebox . Your Tilley has flat seals in the valves where the modern Tilley SP1 seal kit has a squareish chunky seals ,they do work but aren't original to your model. Give Kerosene Lighting Melbourne – T W Sands & Co a ring for the 606 vapouriser and other parts you may need. I find General Purpose Thinners or Acetone very effective for removing the built up of crud inside the fount. It wont affect the Speculum plating. The hood is vitreous enamel on steel. Clean up and remove the rust and treat with Stove Black. The hood gets too hot to paint. You can remove the rust from the cage and paint with a high temp paint. A good project with a family connection. Good luck.
Both dates are inclusive, if I recall correctly it was in the autumn of 1956 when Tilley started to date code.
