I've just seen a well used and tarnished Optimus in a local s/hand store. I think it may be a 1200, but everything was so caked and tarnished! I didn't want to clean it up in the store.... I looks fairly complete with the frosted German glass. It has a lever operated flamethrower arrangement, and a preheat cup fitted, as well..? Its really comprehensively equipped. It holds pressure - stale fuel in the fount. The burner top arrangement is totally different from the Colemans I'm becoming familar with. What fuels can be used in a lamp like this. Will it accept coleman #11(#1111) mantles(500cp)? I've always kept to Coleman as their spares supply is second to none for all old lanterns. But this would be a "walk into the wild side" if I purchased it....I'm very tempted... Regards ThomasL
It runs on paraffin (Kerosene) hence the preheating arrangements. You can preheat using either methylated spirit in the preheating cup (some people advocate 2 cycles of preheating when using meths) or the paraffin blow-torch. It is 200 candle power lantern as far as I know so I think the Coleman 500 cp mantles will be a bit on the large side. The design of this lantern has a lot in common with Petromax, Hipolito etc. PS There is a variant of the 1200 that was designed for petrol. It is the 1200B (B for Benzine). I've never seen one but it can be identified by a generator that lacks the circular loop of the paraffin models. They are very well made and if you can get it for a good price then go for it.
No. It's actually B for "Bensin". Otherwise you got it all covered! I'd definately grab it if I were you, ThosKiwi. Unless they not are asking fantasy prices for it...
Hello Thomas, the Optimus 1200 is a 200cp., lantern and if I recall correctly, the 1 in front of the 200 means that the lantern has a rapid pre heating torch. Paraffin/Kerosene is the fuel to use and it's best to obtain the proper mantles, but you could try one of the smaller Coleman mantles on it, Jeff.
Well I suppose so but Sven is just a nickname I picked up on account of being blond haired and blue eyed and the fact that my name is Stephen. The Edin bit is because I lived in Edinburgh for some years.
Ah! That figures. Actually, Edin is a real surname here, and we have some Sven Edin's. One was a skier in the 30's.
Thank you gentlemen! Yes I should have twigged to the lower CP output due to the globe size, similar to Coleman 222. I'll update you on how I make out this week. Thank you again for all the pointers. ThomasL
Hello! Well I purchased my first non Coleman lantern today! On closer inspection the Optimus revealed itself to a 1200. Thank gentlemen for all helping me to an understanding of some of the finer points of Optimus nomenclature. It says "Made in Sweden" on the regulator nob. So I understand this will help "date" it. Pictures will follow soon. I've found a link to an appropriate manual, and will start familarising myself with the operation of the wee beastie! Cheers ThomasL p.s. to think it started when I found Coleman kerosene lanterns hard to find in B.C.'s Lower mainland (Fraser Valley). T.L.
Well I don't want to start an argument but I think you will find branching out from Coleman lanterns a rewarding experience. I actually have several modern Coleman lanterns (all petrol) and they work well. However, they are made of steel and that inevitably means rust in the damp, cool British climate. I much prefer lanterns (and stoves) made of brass. They pretty last for ever. Optimus are known for their quality so you have an excellent lamp there. I also like Vapalux lamps and have two M320 ex-military lamps (paraffin) which are extremely durable if a little unexciting. Tilleys are good too even if some find the tank in the X246B a bit weak and prone to fail if over pressurised (just don't over pressurise it!). The older Tilleys are better made but my X246Bs work fine every time and there are so many around. The advantage of the Petromax type design is the built in pre-heater which means you don't have to carry meths to preheat. It does take some time to get proficient at using the pre-heater and it is not quite as much of an advantage as it first seems. The pre-heater uses pressure up very quickly so a lot of pumping is needed and it also tends to soot the globe up a bit. In contrast, meths pre-heating is really only a matter of lighting the meths and waiting. Anyway, it's all good fun. Enjoy your lamp!
Thank you Svenedin, I've started with a Coleman USA 200A 1969 and then discovered the brass(top)/steel(base) founts of the Canadian lanterns, my 1969 Canadian 236 has this sort of fount. And then I discovered Coleman's backward compatibility with pump leathers etc. I've found 242B(1941) from local barns which showed their age with wear and tear, but still worked as found after 70 years.. That's quality in form and function! Here's a picture of the wee beastie. I've got to get the penetrating oil on it before I strip it down, I'll try and leave the patina, but I'll see if everything is functioning, like seals, cleaning needles, pumps and NRVs before I attempt to light it. It has three nuts epoxied onto the base for screwing/bolting down. I'll have to find a source of spares, I know MEC(Mountain Equipment Co-Op) carried Optimus products and I'll check there. I wonder if any of the current Optimus seals/spares are common to this model range? Cheers ThomasL
That's a nice find. Especially with the original glass. Those 3/4 frosted glasses are a good idea. This version of the 1200 is from the last half of the 70s and first half of the 80s. The dating is pretty rough, but it gives you an idea. Btw it is called the 1200M where the M stands for "messing" which is the Swedish word for brass. Odds on you'll need to change the filler cap gasket and maybe the O-ring in the quick starter. Both parts that are easy to source or make yourself. The NRV is not that old so should be alright. Otherwise it is just to check the jet and needle and oil the pump leather. Happy fettling.
