Morning guys, I've just purchased my first Tilley for the princely sum of £5 and I don't really know where to start with it as this is all rather new to me. I've been told that it's an early Guardsman model with a 'bat wing pump' but I don't know if that's correct?. What do I actually have here?.
Yes, it's a Tilley X246 which tend to be referred to as 'Guardsman' to distinguish them from the even earlier X246 models with the 'pork-pie' tank. It's got the wire-loop handle attachment which is good because they were the last decent lanterns Tilley made before they started cost-cutting in 1956-ish. It should fettle nicely once all that dirt is cleaned off. It'll almost certainly need a complete new set of seals (Tilley 'old' 498) but you're probably better getting a modern set from the likes of the Fettlebox advertising on the right of this page. It may also need a new vapouriser which is part no. 606 - try finding a NOS (new, old stock) one rather than a modern one which are generally shit out-sourced from China and of variable quality. Try lifting the hood and turning the glass globe over so the smaller hole is at the bottom - they fit better that way!!
Nice introduction to the Tilley line, should clean up to give a very usable lamp. Follow David's info above, I was given a lamp because the then owner couldn't get it to work.... I helpfully took it off their hands, turned over the glass and it worked..... the smaller hole was compressing the mantle against the burner Two words of warning..... Don't be tempted to pick it up by the top (hood) as it will pop off and dump the rest on the floor One lamp is nice, two lamps is better, but they tend to breed and invite other lamps into your house
Yes, the hood's held on by gravity only. I think we've all turned one of these over only to have the hood, burner and glass fall out... My Dutch version has two natty clips to hold the hood in place...
Halo Nick, welcome aboard! The first infos are correct a. importend to do. Most lanterns are running beautyfull after this service and you will love this lamp... Regards, Frank
That pump is worth something alone. I picked a similar lantern up with the same pump for a tenner not long back. Well done, a fiver is a veritable snip 
The transfer on the side looks to be fairly well preserved so be gentle when cleaning this area, in fact, be careful with the rest of it too. Tilley Guardsman lanterns are really great pieces of kit that work well - much better than their later models, particularly the ubiquitous Tilley X246b which can work well if you're lucky but can also ba a royal pain in the @$$ to get running properly! Also, that seems to be an original glass (anyone confirm this?) so take it steady when cleaning it. When it's clean and shiny again, post some more photos. Did it come with the little bottle and the pre-heater torch?
G'day Nick and welcome to CPL. Give the lantern a good clean with soap and water first to remove the dirt . Be gentle especially on the decal. Look inside the fount to see how much muck is inside. A good swishing with paraffin and a handful of steel nuts may be all thats needed to clean it out. New seals and a mantle may be all you meed. Beyond that it's up to you how far you want to go restoring the lantern. Use the search function in the Fettling section for more information and ask specific questions when you need help. Good luck
