New custodian for this wee Petromax lantern and I'm eager to determine it's age. G&E is stamped in the logo on the tank and 823 300HK on the cage support. I can't locate anything similar in the reference gallery with identical lever and eccentric wheel.....also managed to buy my second Sicke Petromax in the same deal. More pictures to follow...
With a picture of the rest of the lantern it would be more easy to tell you what you have. But with E&G and the old rapid it is an oldie.
So here are a few extra photos. On the base of the tank, it appears the 240 is lightly scrapped into it. DRP is stamped underneath the Petromax text on the manometer. Any ideas?? Rapid Preheater lever similar to my Petromax WW2 Lanterns...or as we called it in Ireland, The Emergency. Correction...An 828, not an 823 as I posted earlier.
The Vaporiser looks to be deformed through years of use. I removed it as it seemed to be straining the hood thus the frame etc. Here is the jet, of 300HK strength. Can't be too many of those left.
Seems to be vastly superior to even the later German made Petromax never mind the modern lanterns. Material is of a thicker gauge, zero backlash on threads, and overall far sturdier item..not a rattle can be heard! Will get it cleaned up and serviced over the next few weeks and see how it goes. I presume 300HK consumables are no longer available?? Ill more than likely reduce it to 250HK.
Passing tonight by stripping it down, internals looks remarkably clean despite it's age. Any idea what the "8" means?
While taking it apart, I noticed a couple of oddities not found on the later Petromax. The first is the "o" gasket on the carburetor uptake which eliminates fouling of the gasket by the guide rod. I know contemporary versions of these can be purchased but this looks to be original. Another is the four holes in the vaporizer, later Petromax ie. Bundeswehr versions had only two.
Well strange or not it fits the period it is made in. The small holes should be clean, onvious, for a good rapid flame thrower action. looks clean but make sure the pick up pipe is clean inside too. The filter can be taken of, screwed on the pipe which in its turn can be removeed too. BUT ! don't force both, they are delicate. It is more strange that your rapid rocker is still in one piece and not broken.
