How old is my Tilley x246?

I'm working on a Tilley rebuild video and what to be sure I've got my facts straight, here is the lantern in question:

Straight legs on the frame


Clip bail


No date that I can see, unless its under the sticker


Side stamping

I'm thinking mid to late 1950s but I'm not sure when the clip bail started.

Thanks!

 

If there is not a date code on the bottom of the tank, then in my opinion it's mid 1950's, (1954 to 1956 both dates are inclusive).

X246

 

That fits with what I was thinking, I wasn't sure if '54 was the first year for the clipped bail.

 

@curtludwig

Nice lantern. Just make sure you change the mantle before firing it up.

Regards Jeremy

 

Thanks!

The plating came up really nicely, I've not had good luck with Tilley plating in the past.
I hadn't noticed the hole in the mantle before, I went hole hog on this one, the whole burner assembly came out, and got soaked in citric acid. Looks great now.

 

@curtludwig

Oh, you tease! Any more photos to follow?

Regards Jeremy

 

Sure, it's got lots of scratches but looks pretty good for it's age.

 

It's progressing!
When your video is finished perhaps you could post a link for it on this forum.

 

I certainly will, in the meantime youtube.com/lanternlabs

 

It's the tank that dates this one. Tilley began stamping the logo on the sides of the tanks in 1954 and that year also introduced this shape tank. They used this shape tank until September/October 1957 and they began date stamping in the base plate November 1956. Therefore your lamp without a date stamp is from about mid 1954 to October 1956. ::Neil::

 

Nice, don't think you will have to worry too much about the dreaded "dishing effect" with the bottom. This is an earlier one.

 

Nice work, Curt! Your instructional videos are certainly a cut above the rest on Youtube. It looks like the pump is the aluminium type that was used on the X246B. The control cock seems to be the correct one for that model. You are fitting new seals all round?

 

Indeed, I have a kit from The Fettlebox

 

It could well be that someone fitted the later globe cage onto an earlier tank...

 

I reckon that mantle is a later change, too

 

With the clip-type globe cage, the handle is easily removeable and the hood is held on, too. On the earlier 'loop' handle attachment only gravity holds the hood on and the globe in - as you'll quickly find out if you turn the lantern over to check for the date code...