Continued from this topic I think it's too much of a long shot. They only used the number 100 on the two previous versions of the lantern, so why suddenly remember that it was the cp rating. By the time this lantern was around Optimus was consistently using cp for all descriptions, not normalljus. The N suffix probably came in at the same time as the P suffix on their other lanterns. There hasn't been a rational explanation for that one either.
You guys know the lamps better than I do and there is a language problem here but could it be as simple as describing the finish. P for Polished and N for Nickled. ::Neil::
I'm pretty sure that is not what they stand for. From the evidence I've seen, Optimus only ever offered a nickel plated version to the public. The 200P that has been posted by Christer was a special civil defence model. It was only in the 70s that Optimus started offering polished brass versions of their 1200 and 930 (maybe the 930 wasn't until the 80s).
The suffix is confusing, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a logical explanaition. The petrol fueled Optimus lanterns has the suffix 'B'. In that case the logical assumption to make could be that the 'B' stands for 'Bensin' (petrol), but I think it can be a totally wrong assumption to make since they obviously don't follow that logic for the 'P'-lanterns which are late enough to not use the old fuel name, but rather the one we use this day- Fotogen (Paraffin). Unless they not for some strange reason has chosen a more international touch since 'P' could stand for both Paraffin or Petroleum (German). Even French if 'Petrole'... I don't think so, but wanted to vent some possibilities.
We should probably have a brain storm and come up with any idea that is remotely possible. From what I have seen, there is no functional difference between the previous model without the P or N to the one with it. There were a couple of cosmetic differences like a red enamelled top hat instead of nickelled brass and a brown plastic wheel instead of a red one. Maybe this discussion should be moved to the discussion forum?
This is a very interesting topic, I have been wondering many years about it. I should of course asked a former emplyee att Optimus but he is unfortunately gone since a couple of years. The N only appears on a few models and my suggestion is that is stands for New, Ny in Swedish. The same model number but a new version. What do you think about this explanation? Bo
I only know of the 100. Were there others that used the N suffix? N for new could work, but I can't see what is new on that version. All the others used P and that's still a mystery to me.
I've asked someone who worked in QC at Optimus in the early 70's & they don't know - mystery remains!
I have identified. Model Nos with suffixes A, B, G, M, N and P. I only have N with model 100. Some are obvious. The A is I think for shade variations on table models. B is Benzine The M I only have with a Brass finish 1200 so I guess the M is for brass. G is for a pressure gauge. I have no idea what N and P are for but you got to assume the company had some reason for adding these letters so they have to have a meaning. ::Neil::
The thing that stands out with the N and P is that they were actually stamped into the tank. The other suffixes were only used in the catalogues and on the box.
Apart from the cosmetic changes that occured (different colour wheel, enamel top, etc.), I have actually found a design difference. The section of the vapouriser that screws to the valve block (I know it's not a valve but can't think of a better name) changes. On the 200 the vapouriser tube is reduced in size so the nut to screw onto the block can fit. On the 200P the size of the thread on the block has been increased so the nut on the vpouriser can be bigger, therefore no need to reduce the size of the tube. Here are a couple of pictures to hopefully show the difference. I know it's not a big change, but it's all I can find. I can't check if this also works for the 100, but maybe someone who has both a 100 and 100N can check it.
Hi all, i have no idea about what the N stands for, but i belive the P stands for Petroleum, and was used on the optimus 200 and 300 lanterns at the era when they also produced the 200 and 300 gasoline models ( 200B 300B ) B for Bensin, but dropped when the gasoline models was discontinued. Frederik
The B versions started in the 30s, so long before the P suffix turned up. Once the P was added, it stayed until the models were dropped (the 200 P being the last).
Hi Nils ! I know you have great knowledge in Optimus lanterns among others, and i belive you are right about the B version being produced long before the P first showed up, however i belive that the P prefix was inroduced because of the B ( bensin ) model being produced, as to distinguish the kero model from the gasoline model, this is what i belive but i can be wrong. as for the 200P model being the last design, i'm not sure because i have a couple of 200's that came out of boxes made circa 1986, ( based up on the paperwork found inside ) these boxes are labeled 200G/1200G and held lanterns with lid pressure gauges, no other fittings ( only filling lid and Pump ) and those founts have the imprint 200 with out the P, Frederik
Hi Frederik I know it seems logical that the P should be for a kerosine lamp, but the P came at least 10 years after they started offering a petrol lamp. I don't think even Optimus would be that slow in getting things going. Another point is that they never added the suffix on the tank with any of the other types. I still think it had to do with some sort of design change and the only one I can find is the size of the thread where the vaporiser screws on. I know about the lanterns from the 80s (I actually thought they were from the 70s). We have had a little discussion about it in the reference gallery. My thought are that they are 'mistakes' from the factory and were only sold to the military. At least all the ones I have seen have been from surplus stores.
I've been thinking and looking at some 200's and 200P's i belive youre' right about the reason for the name changes, The 100 and the 100N uses different founts and parts, i guess the wanted to know what lantern people were refering to when they ordered parts the 100 or the new 100N. Also when the 200P arrived the pump angle had been changed, on a 200 ( old one ) the pump goes in on the left side of the fule pickup tube,( as on the 827 and Radius 102 ) but on the 200P it goes in on the right side of the pickup tube , an whole new design at the time, maybe they choosed the P instead of N because of the pump change ? Frederik Frederik
I hadn't really seen that difference with the pump before. It certainly gives a possibility for the P, in either english or swedish. I've just had a look and can see that the 'new' 200 had the pump moved, but this variation didn't exist for very long. Maybe people were getting confused as to which version of the lamp it was, so they added the P. Just like you say. I have an idea that the pump was moved to make room for the level gauge.
The level gauge is present on my earlier 1200, i have not compared the vires for the level gauge on the two, but maybe they had som trouble withe the early version binding up in something. Frederik
