Recently I've bought this lamp via a local auction site. It wasn't well advertised, but the wooden handle in the photo gave away that it's not an ordinary Petromax lamp. Unfortunately the nickel coating has been washed off, but since then the brass has developed a nice "old" patina, so I guess the nickel has been polished off a long time ago. It also has a spirit reservoir marked "SPIRITUS BEHALTER" with a tube to the spirit cup. It seems complete apart from one screw in the hood. It seems quite rare as not many web resources for an 823/6 are available and this lamp raises some questions. I would like to ask if anyone could help finding the answers? These are my questions: 1) What would be the year of production? The 823/6 is in the documentation from the 1920's and early 1930's. probably from 1927 shows the same type of nozzle, which disappears from later documentation. Therefor I think it's a 1920's lamp. 2) What would be the purpose of the mash and plate on top of the tank? Maybe for tying the lower part of the mantle to? 3) What would the SN logo on the tank mean/stand for? 4) There is green paint on the pump knob - Would this be original or maybe a war replacement? 5) The tank bottom seems crudely soldered and bulges out as if overpressured. Would this be original, like an early production model or could it be a repair? Thanks, Peter Frontal view: Picture showing the type plate, green paint on the pump knob and the nickel been washed off: Glass with logos: The SN logo on the tank: The nozzle (older type?): The bottom seems crudely soldered and bulges out: Plate and mesh: (Some) Disassembly:
Hello Peter, that is a great find! It's a rare lantern and yes, that is a meths container and according to the information which I have, that is a 250 cp., lantern from the late 1920's to early 1930's. The paperwork which is shown via your link is for the model 826. I have not yet seen any paperwork for your lantern. Neil may information about the logo. The base plate may have been repaired, but does the bulging base plate make the lantern rock? If not, then it may be okay to use. The pump knob is probably a replacement. I have not seen that plate with a mesh before, but it would act as a heat deflector and therefor the tank would not heat up so much. Jeff.
Hi Peter! Very nice find! I'm also the opinion that the pump knob may have been replaced, the original one should be a little bit more in diameter and has a knurled rim. Also I doubt that the handle once may have belonged to a "Continentale Licht" Lantern, they often had the wooden piece in the middle. However, a very rare piece which should restore nicely. The ceramic bajonet holder for the mantle is also quite unusual, but fitting mantles should still be available. On Torsten Schernings Website there are some photographs of another R823/6 owned by Henry Plews. BR, Martin
This kind of handle is original. I have the same one, on the same lamp. My lamp has an other pump knob. The holder in the middle I think, is made for preheating the vaporizer with meth
Hi Jeff, Martin, Karli, Thanks for your kind replies !! The bulge in the bottom plate does make the lanter rock indeed, so I guess it's been overpressured. The nozzle is for a "stiff mantle" I read and I haven't found it in the 1930's documentation. Would anyone know about the SN logo? Cheers, Peter
Hello Peter, that nozzle is designed for a preformed mantle which has a ceramic ring which attaches to the nozzle, (like a gas mantle) or as you said a stiff mantle. I'm hoping that Neil will have some information on that logo, as I have not been able to find any yet, Jeff.
That mantle holder and a hard mantle were offered by Petromax for some of their earlier products. Looking at the parts lists and diagrams I think it should be possible to replace it with a ceramic mantle holder. I have no idea what that SN logo is. Not one I have seen before. A retailers mark perhaps? ::Neil::
Hello Peter, Nice lantern. The centre holder is for a candle, home made. The marking is (I guess) NS, "Nederlandse Spoorwegen", Dutch Railway company. They used petromax lanterns. The ceramic burner is, again I guess, a wrong replacement. They where offered although for "donut" lamps. You can see it doesn't fit perfectly.
Hello Wim, Virgillio, Thnx! It's just that I have not been able to find any references for that SN or NS logo. The Railways were my first thought as well, although their official logo was a wheel with wings in those days. Cheers, Peter
Wim, the ceramic burner is not a replacement as you can see from this and this catalogue. It was a special version to use pre-formed (hard) mantles, which however seems not to be so common (sold only upon special request). I got a similar lantern from Peter with the same burner including the magnesia ring for the mantle, and already talked to other collectors who have found this assembly mounted to their Petromax lanterns. BR, Martin
