I got one Optimus 1200 lantern recently and was wondering if the manometer on it is a Optimus original one? Some one told me that Optmus did not brand their manometers and wheels etc after 1963 since they purchased Primus. Its a rare item since it never was sold to the public. Military only. But another one told me this is only an aftermarket manometer, you can find it on many website who sell lantern spares. I don't know the history of Optimus so have no idea of the manometer version and there is no info I can find online. Do you guys know which one is correct? Thanks.
Looks very similar to the ones you get on toy steam engines - Quite similar in appearance to the Wilesco brand.
I Could be completely wrong but it was my understanding some Optimus lanterns were actually made in China just before Optimus stopped making kerosene lanterns. Maybe this is why the manometer isn't marked.
This is quite a late manometer but it is possible that Optimus used it. I have seen manometers on late Optimus 1200s without the Optimus name, but they have still had a numbered scale. Maybe this is the very last lot they used. Probably no way to prove it one way or the other.
I have 5 ex-Swedish military Optimus 200/1200 lanterns. I just have one of them in my home and it has "Optimus" text on manometer and only "Made in Sweden" on control wheel. If I recall correctly some of my lanterns had similar manometer as in your picture (I need to check them when I get others into my hands). Those my lanterns are from mid 70's or I believe so since they have packing lists dated on 1976. Packing is made by "Försvarets sjukvårdsstyrelse". I think that Sweden made Optimus lanters are easy to distinguish from China made ones. Sweden made lanterns have text "Made in Sweden" on their tanks. Newer ones don't have that text (or at leats that conclusion I have made...).
The only Chinese made Optimus pressure lamp is the 1551. The last version of the 1550 and 1200M were still made in Sweden but with parts bought in from elsewhere (commonly believed to be Hipolito).
