Well i got to say that this weekend turned out well. Fixed the two Radius 119 lanterns i got from my cabin and a relatives barn. Asked her which one she wanted and she wanted "the shiny one". Score one. Since the other one was a a brass version Returned to the house next to the barn and left the 119 as per the deal. Went to hunt for acoholcans, tools or other parts... but why is this 119 redtop standing here, slowly withering away, in the garage. Score two. On my way home the phone alerted me of a auction about to end. Pulled over on a parking lot and tossed in a bid. Won another 119 in fine condition for 500:- SEK. Score three. And this day started of good (okej i know its not weekend anymore but come-on ). Checked the mailbox after work and there was a alcoholcan that i won in an auction for a small fee earlier, Sweet. And a note that i had a parcel at the post office. Turned out to be the new, part frosted, glass for the optimus 930 (that i found for only 400:- sek in the local retro shop). But what i didn't know was that faith had stored the best !#¤!!! stuff for last. Me and the kids went and visited an aunty and i was sitting there being social and all when she showed of a brand new standard kerosene lantern she ordered. Told her of my new found... addiction of pressure lanterns and she told me that she thought that there was one lying around somewhere. So when my daughter had to go outside to wee wee (kids and new places) we took a stroll to the barn for a look see. And what was sitting there on a shelf collecting dust... A Primus 981 in nice shape only missing the glas. Brought i back to the house and aunty was almost surprised that it even existed still. - Im gonna fix this, its gonna have a good life... oh yes.. Score a thought... but it wasn't over.. -I think there is some mantels in that top locker there in the corner she said. Went for a look, first there was this optimus glas that i think is for a 200 lantern, an single mantel was laying around to, and it was then i found it. The bombshell that had been laying around for decades, waiting for..me(?). There was the original accessories tin box for the 981, complete with spare parts, mantels, needles and... An original instructions paper from 1939 in fine condition. INSANE! - By the way aunty said, just when im trying to handled what i just got my hands on, -I think there are three more lanterns at this other cottage i have...! Well now i have some fetting to do for sure And my wife is starting to think im a bit addictive.. and yes.. it is, so ill just have to wait for this 119 that i won to arrive. Oh wait... her is another auction.. PS: Heres some pictures of the stuff and my two almost mint 119 that is finished._ //Fjellot
Congratulations on all the finds. You have had some very good luck lately. That's the sort of thing most collectors dream of.
Oh yes. Its been good, but i live in the middle of the old Forrest community that built this part of the country (aside of mining) so there are bound to be some more lanterns around Also i was wondering if the stamp schematics on FOGAS parts list section, where it is shown primus year letter stamps. Does that includes the Radius brand? //Fjello
It sounds like you have a project ahead to save as many lamps as possible. The date code for Primus is only for Primus. Radius and Optimus did not date stamp there lamps so all you can go by are the variations which came during the years.
You find various small letters stamped in different spots on the early Radius lamps. Usually the base and the outside of the base seam. There is no information whether these mean anything or any relation to dates. If I remember correctly, they seem to stop around the mid 1930s.
I don't know if anyone has done it systematically, but indications were that it did not indicate a date. They most likely have to do with batch identification or similar.
Oh the weekends rippleeffects continues. Aunty stopped by yesterday. She had checked her other cabin... and what you know?
Congratulations! Lovely to see those fantastic lanterns with someone that appreciates them rather than collecting them as investments! I regret that it has made me quite jealous! Radius and Primus lanterns are usually prohibitively expensive over here!
Im getting there on my brass 119. Just a testburn and its done. I like my lamps to be operational, even the ones that is just for show...because you never know.. Now on to some collar repair on my new arrival. EDIT: Hell, i just had to finish this last one to, but now i call it a night
Seems to be in very good condition. Obviously stored in a dry place. I wonder if Optimus actually used the Anchor shade at this stage? I suppose it makes sense to get everything from the one source.
Perhaps. Havnt seen much anchor stuff around here so i would guess that it came in one package, from the selling store in any way. Yes, this lantern havent been run much. Perhaps a testrun tomorrow
Perhaps Christer. After i got ahold of my other TWO freebie lanterns that i just secured Well... its weekend so im not supprised
