OK, so there's never was a Bialaddin lamp called 'Black Knight' but having got to the scrappy end of the various parts I had lying around I decided to make something out of nothing and this is the result. It's a 300X fount with a plated collar and frame and a 320(?) hood. The original hood was getting very rusty so it was a choice between a slightly rusty green 320 style hood or this one so to match it I used matt black for the fount. I think it needs a new filler cap washer and a pressure release washer as it loses pressure although nothing weeps or drips but when freshly pumped it gives a good strong light as you'd expect from Willis & Bates. I've left the bottom of the tank the original colour as I always do so I or anyone else can always put back the original hood take it back to how it was. There is a name underneath: W L (or possibly R) Hilman with one L.
Yeah, the lighting 'hole' is a by-product of using old Pyrex cafetière liners but actually they make lighting a darn sight easier! I don't use them on anything that I consider classic, but for my 'users' they work very well. Considering I can pick up old cafetière coffee jugs most weeks fir a few quid, it makes sense.
Very nice, but in the words of the Deep Purple song: Black Knight is a long way from home! Send it to me! Regards Jeremy
Clever choice of colour and finish to produce a 'Stealth Lantern' which the enemy won't be able to see in the dark. Oh, wait...
Ha ha, very droll, David! Ever since I had the idea of calling it 'Black Knight' I've had that damned song rolling around in my brain on repeat!!!
Not that I'm OCD in the slightest... but if anyone had a plated filler cap and pump I'd be very interested! Good God, I'm so OCD sometimes!
Really nice! I specially like the contrast between matt black and brass/steel. Never seen such globe before. Good looking lamp!
I made the 'globe' from a cut down cafetière Pyrex jug and kept the pouring lip which makes a very convenient place to light the lamp and fill the pre-heater with meths.
@littlelamplight This “in place” pre-heaters are excellent. If made properly they will last for years. Tony
So far I've made 4 cafetiere jug globes and they all work well and have lasted OK so far. If I had an oxy-acetaline welding torch I'd like to melt the cut rim to neaten it up but I can't justify buying one just for that! At first I thought the pouring lip was ugly but I quite like it now. It's certainly very convenient!
