Until now,I was unaware that Solex also manufactured lanterns with an output of 500HK-and even equipped with a rapid preheater. This preheater,the upper section of the carburetor featuring a broad, outward-facing fin,and the red-enameled hooded cap bear a strong resemblance to Petromax Rapid models from around 1940. It is likely that this Solex 500 HK dates from that same period.Originally,"300 HK" was stamped on the tank ; subsequently, the "3" was overstamped with a "5". Right at the 5 , the tank had two holes . During disassembly-despite my utmost caution-the die-cast zinc ring securing the Rapid lever snapped off;however, I happened to have a nearly identical replacement part from Petromax in my stock. This italian pressure lamp , too, lacks a compression spring around the pump rod and a locking mechanism for the pump knob on the pump cap. The J-tube features a soldered-in wire,instead of a movable paddle; the connector body #224 had three airholes-whereas Petromax models had four,and later two .All the parts differed slightly from these found on Petromax lanterns . The hand wheel ,marked Solex bears a distinet resemblance to these found on Italian FAIR pressure lanterns. Incidentally, the resemblance between the ItalianSolex/FAIR lanterns and the German Petro Pintsch lanterns from the early 1950s is striking .
Yes, a very beautiful Italian lamp. Seen from a distance, you might have thought it was a Petromax, but up close it’s quite different. A fantastic find – there can’t be many of these around, and certainly not ones that have been relabelled by hand. And, as you’d expect from you, it’s been beautifully and meticulously restored.
Nice solex, from the Deutschland Reich? Hehe I saw one on eBay the other day they're so expensive, I imagine it's well worth it though. Nixe peice
