Optimus 100 - Do fakes exist?

I was at a country show today and saw a very small, all brass lantern with a broken glass. It had the appearance of a Optimus 100 but was totally devoid of any markings. Absolutely nothing anywhere. It was priced at £30. I spent 10-15 minutes looking it over, but something just didn't seem right. A bit later, I saw a guy carrying it.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera with me. Did I do right, or did I walk away from a bargain?

Terry

 

You do mean the and not the right?

 

Dunno. What's the difference?

 

Trojandog, just look at the lanterns in the links provided by James...

The 100N is more normal in its proportions, while the 100 looks like an Optimus 200 that someone has put in an arbor press.

Quite frankly... if you can't tell the difference between those, it's a big chance that the small lantern you saw could have been any kind of 100-150CP Petromax clone.
Or perhaps even an original Petromax.

 

I ask as the Optimus 100 is pretty unique, whereas there are several makers of the 100N style lantern.

 

Nope, it didn't have any markingetromax parts, lamps are all marked.

 

Was that Laughton show Terry?

Didn't realise they sold stuff like that there...

 

Hi Bill. Yes, it was Laughton. Among the trade stands, they have 30-40 stalls selling automobilia etc. Same at the Autumn show.

Terry