Hello all experts, I am a beginner of pressure lamp and need the help to identify the age of my new purchased Petromax 827. There are no four numbers stamp code on the button of tank, but I found the scratched numbers as below: I am not sure what is that mean and even not sure how to read it. 1118 , 8111, 11/8 or 8/11? Does it help to identify the age of the lamp? Thanks,
From the appearance of this lantern I'd say 1950's. This basically because of the lever of the torch preheater. However, the collar has already the (later) horizontal rectangular slots and the mark on the tank has no "E" inside the "G". The scratched numbers could be an owner's mark. As far as I know the 4 digit stamping was basically used in the 1960's, so no surprise that yours hasn't got it.
Welcome @yicho231. Nice lantern. I'm not an expert but here's my opinion:- Everything appeared to be 1950s(preheater design, G logo, mixing J-tube attachment design without the two flat nuts in the inner burner hood, shape of the vent outlets on the hood). I would say after 1956. That's from the ribbed frame collar. No stamped numbers under the fount indicates before 1960s. No idea on the scratched numbers.
The rapid preheater type is 1954 to 1964 and the collar after 1956. No date mark then suggests 1956 to about 1960. Nice true German made lantern. A very nice find. ::Neil::
It is the datecode. Before the stamped number it was scratchet with a needle. From Pelam - Forum: "Das Baujahr ist mit einer Reißnadel handschriftlich auf den Tankboden geritzt. Meist ist das nur sehr schwach zu finden. Es dürften zwei Zahlen zu finden sein: Monat / Ziffer des Jahres. 11/8 - entspricht November 1958" BR
I've read from earlier posts that some Petromax lanterns from the 1930s have date codes being scratched on the fount's bottom plate. Those from the 60s have stamped 4-digit numbers for coding. I am not aware if any units from post-war 40s till the 50s had any factory-scratched numbers or codes on the bottom of their founts.
Guys, Just consider the amount of lanterns that where made back then, do you really think on a production line someboy is scrathing dates in a tank bottom ?
Wim, just remember that in most parts (at least in final assembly) these lanterns were really handmade and not manufactured on highly automated production lines as is common today. Under these circumstances, it would make sense to mark them manually, especially as quality control is a sensitive task. There are many lanterns out there where the scratched numbers perfectly match the estimated production date. So why don't you trust the evidence?
I can not say who has made it but I have a Petromax 828 unused in original box and it is scratch marked on the bottom with 3/60. The lantern has a 1954 preheater so it is from the period. Michael
Hallo zusammen Ich bin auch Anfänger und habe die same question. What ist the age of my first Petromax i call my own.
Hood and pressure gauge do not seem to be original to the lantern. The number is not original to the lantern. Cobbled together from parts may be a hint. Erik
@yicho23I has one of the first with a wavy collar. I've never seen one like this bevore 1958 . I read 10/8 @Andrea You must show the number in original . The pressure gauge is just about cleaned well , but fits the time of the lamp .The hoods usually shine more than the rest of the Petromax, especially the old ones. Everything is correct on both lamps .
