Tilley OL51 mfg. date

Discussion in 'Pressure Lamp Discussion Forum' started by Mister_Wilson, Jun 23, 2026.

  1. Mister_Wilson

    Mister_Wilson United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, USA
    Hello,
    I recently acquired a Tilley OL51. I'm curious as to its age and wondered if there is a way to determine it.
    Thank you for any assistance.

    John
     
  2. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    16,908
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    Photos will help us to assist you.
     
  3. Mister_Wilson

    Mister_Wilson United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, USA
    I know it’s not the proper glass, that’s what came on it. I have a proper one arriving soon. I hope these pictures help.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    16,908
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    The earliest that your example can be is 1940, because it has the short socket which was designed for the GF., control cock and the link below shows a 1938 Tilley catalogue where the outdoor lamps are shown with the deep socket for the XN., control cock.

    Your grand old lamp is working well.:thumbup::thumbup:

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1938-tilley-cat.411/
     
  5. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    16,908
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    The first link below shows a 1955 Tilley catalogue and and the OL., lamps are shown in it and the second link shows a Tilley price list from 1956 and the OL., lamps are listed in it, but they are not listed in the 1957 Tilley price list, which can be viewed via the third link and so far I have not found any mention of the OL., lamps in any Tilley paperwork after 1956.
    The fourth link shows a 1929 Tilley catalogue and they OL-50 is shown there.
    The last link shows a 1922 Tilley catalogue and a different style of outdoor suspension lamp is shown there.

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1955-tilley-cat.421/

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1956-tilley-price-list.809/

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/tilley-price-list-july-1957.12433/

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1929-folder-no-1-10m.2294/

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1922-folder-no-1.1401/
     
  6. Mister_Wilson

    Mister_Wilson United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2021
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, USA
    Jeff, thanks so much for your response. I am currently at the ICCC convention in Frankenmuth, Michigan. I will definitely check out the links you provided.
     
  7. JEFF JOHNSON

    JEFF JOHNSON United Kingdom Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2010
    Messages:
    16,908
    Location:
    Shetland Islands UK..
    Hello and you are welcome and here is a correction to my previous post, the OL., lamps are listed in the 1957 Tilley price list, I did not notice that before and my thanks to Henry Plews for drawing my attention to my error.:thumbup:
    My best guess is that Tilley stopped offering the OL., lamps when the factory moved from England to Ireland, but until some relevant paperwork turns up all that we can do is to speculate.
    Retailers would still have had stock of course and the link below shows an Australian price list.
    The OL., lamps had a long production run, the best part of 30 years according to our current paperwork.
    Will you be posting any photos of the Coleman gathering? Mister_Wilson

    https://classicpressurelamps.com/th...t-1958-59-parsons-robertsons-australia.25146/
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2026

Share This Page