Here is my fettled Austramax2/300. I did not work it over too hard, because the nickel plating was very thin and wearing off. I cleaned it up; gave it a polish; then waxed it with car wax. I will include photos to compare with an early Austramax 3/300. The brand is stamped on the collar, not the tank like later 3/300s: The filler cap is distinctive, and unlike later 3/300s. Also, this one is different to the cap on the 2/200 posted by Nils in the Reference Gallery: The pump, too, is different from the later 3/300s. It has the added feature of being able to be locked in the down position: As it came: Here it is up and running with a new vapouriser and a Shields mantle: Here are some comparative photos with an early Austramax3/300: 2/300 on the left: Note that the hood of the 2/300 is slightly taller due to the top set of grates being larger: The 2/300 (on the right hand side of this photo) did not have the "cup" washer beneath the the hood and the base plates are different, while the cast burners are the same: The mounting on the tanks is different. 2/300: 3/300: The 2/300 vapouriser, nipple and cleaning needle are different from the modern replacement parts, and the early 3/300: The nozzle for the 2/300 is larger and screws onto the end of a brass tube, whereas the early and later 3/300s have the tube and nozzle as one piece: The collar of the 2/300, apart from the stamping, is slightly different to the 3/300: Cheers Tony
Tony, Sensational photographs, thanks. As a rule, I'm not into Austramax at all. However, I would like a 2/300 as they have that old look about them. Your lamp is very nice indeed.
Good fettle there Tony. Came up quite nice and looks to run nice and bright to .Good you pointed out some of the differences to . Bob .
A very nice lantern, Tony. You have photographed it so well. There are lots of detailed photos, some with a 3/300 for comparison. This sort of presentation is essential if the galleries are to be used as a useful resource.
Very good photos Tony. Just what is needed in a reference gallery. Your lantern is what I would place as the second variation out of three (that I know of) of the 2/300. All the 2/300s (and the first 3/300s) I have seen have a brass base plate. Does yours? A couple of words about the 3/300. The first variation came with the same lock-down pump as the 2/300. The first couple of variations of the 3/300 also had the flame spreader with net screwed onto a brass tube. The change to the one pice flame spreader with pierced plate came on the 1st July 1952, according to an old instruction sheet.
My tank is all brass. Nils, that is great information. Looks like you'll be busy with your camera next time you get back to Australia. Cheers Tony
Hi Tony, Great series of photo's. I know my 3/300 has the locking pump handle. I will check my 2/ for the burner etc. Thanks again for the pics.
Hi Tony nice comparisons of the Austramax's you mention a difference in the vaporizers, i found out when putting a new pricker needle in an older vaporizer from an early version that the needle would not come through the jet, needle was to short, have you or anyone else encountered this?
Yes. The lengths of the needle rods/vapouriser tubes seem to vary slightly over the years. I have resorted to putting a bit of lead in the spot where the needle screws in to give it extra length for some of the old vapourisers. Cheers Tony
