I bought a pressure lamp at a flea market yesterday. I've been collecting lanterns for years but this is my first lamp and I'm not sure about who made it. It looks similar to a Brite Lite but all the parts at it's top are very different. I would appreciate help in identifying it.daleinsc7
Nice find, I have not seen this particular lamp before and a photo of the burner without the cowl and also of the fuel filler plug may help a little. The only American old-timer lamp with a white porcelain cowl and smoke bell I know of is one in my collection - a Windhorst Co. (Primo) lamp. Looks a bit different than this one though. Btw. the upper part is wrongly angled 180 degree (I recon you noticed as well). /Conny
Interesting find. I can't identify any of this one. The whole thing appears to be in a style common around 1909 to maybe 1914 but I have trawled through my old paper and I can't match any parts exactly. Another one for the Unknown files I think. ::Neil::
Thanks for your interest. I might polish it up an put it with the rest of the old stuff displayed around my house. It believe it would be beyond my ability to totally restore.
Surely not. As long as the fount is sound and the gas tip isn't worn; what's to go wrong ? Assuming the base plate is steel, small pin holes can be soldered and the inside sealed with something like POR tank sealer. A different matter if there are stress cracks in the brass and large rust holes in the base plate. Your lamp of course and you must do what you think best. Either way, you can be proud to own such a rare piece of history. Henry.
I'm with Henry here... definitely will look stunning once running again. Conny has done such great work on all his rare pieces and always great to see them running again. Jaco
I appreciate your encouragement. I will definitely need some help from this forum to do the restore.
@daleinsc7 Well, you've come to the right place for help if you are going to restore it. The first step is not to break anything... so, my advice is take it one step at a time. If you are unsure, or even before you start, take detailed photos of the part you are going to work on, then ask for advice. I'm no expert on these very early pressure lamps, but there are people here who will be able to advise you. Good luck. Tony
A couple of things, is this the original globe and is there a part missing between the generator and what I would call the burner?
that gap is where the vapour mixes with air. Some times there are shields to keep the wind out but not always. Are you able to adjust the gap an hold every thing together ?? It is an altitude thing. The higher you are the smaller the gap. As a starting point have the gap about 3/4 inch.
Good. I don't see a hole for the vapor to come out, unless there is a screw that comes out. Also what's best for the corrosion, I've used evaporust in the past. The valve is completely frozen. Is the globe original.
Personally, I think the globe is probably from an electric light, perhaps a porch light but without paperwork showing the lamp as it would have been, who knows? I think you'll find that the bent wire just out of shot in the first image in your last post, is the needle control and the bit you can't see will be threaded. Screw in the control about 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn to clean the orifice, amount then screw out the same to allow the gas to flow. I have something similar on a hollow wire fitting, so I wouldn't mind betting that yours will work in the same way. Using fine wire wool, I'd clean what you can see of the valve stem and needle control, then give it a good soak in penetrating oil. Slackening the gland nut will help a great deal in getting things moving. Again, with fine wire wool, gently clean where the vapour should come out, the orifice will be hiding under all that verdigris. Henry.
Having a hard time getting the needle valve loose. Giving it a good soak in parts cleaner. The main valve is completely frozen too. Any ideas there?
G'day @daleinsc7 A nice looking lamp. Firstly clean the rust off the spindle shaft. Apply some gentle heat to the valve (being careful not to burn the orange wheel) and whilst it is still hot apply more penetrating oil. The heat will expand the joints and the oil will be drawn in. This can be repeated several times. Apply a little heat when you attempt to unscrew the valve assembly. When you attempt to undo the packing nut apply a little heat. This will help. There will be a seal around the shaft (probably carbon but it could be a fibre material also?) and this can bind. The heat helps expand the valve and soften the packing. Be patient and be gentle.
Finally getting back to the lamp. Is it going to be necessary to completely dismantle the lamp to restore it. And if so how will I find new packing for the valve?
@daleinsc7 Trojandog sells graphite sheet in the Trading Post section. Graphite Foil Sheets It can be cut to size and used no many makes of lanterns or stoves.
