I have seen a few unplated brass Optimus 930s go on eBay for stupid money recently and it occurs to me that some of them might just be a common nickel-plated 930 that someone has polished off the plating. Is there any way to tell a genuine unplated 930 from a polished job? Should either the collar or the globe cage be made of brass rather than steel? I suppose the presence of the original frosted globe would be a good sign. James.
Brass lamps of any type seem to get ridiculous prices and have done for a while now. Personally I can't understand it. I suppose if it was done professionally, it would be possible to remove the plating from an ordinary 930 without a trace. I have seen the brass version with steel collars and brass collars, so no help there. The globe cage is always the plated steel version. I don't know if it is always the case, but I think the brass version always has the later filler cap with the two stick up wings. The prices for 930s in general are way to high in my opinion. The supply can certainly meet the demand, so I don't understand the high prices.
James, the clue is in your description of 'stupid' money, it seems that anything that shines is gold. Perhaps that should read 'Fool's gold'!
I think it's just that they are attractive compact lamps... I don't suppose any of the people who pay these inflated prices for them will ever light them or would even have a clue how to.
Bought my 930 for about 35£ And there is stripping products around on the market so it is a possible, with the prices of brass models and all. Wounder what my brass 119 would go for //Fjellot
