This is an Australian Austramax Lantern and appears to be an early variation of the 3/300. The hood is red enamelled steel The glass is bulbous and marked with Austramax (in red letters). The font is all brass (not a steel base). The tank has the additional blocked-off port The font is stamped twice with the Austramax logo, once under the filler cap and the second under the pump tube. Frame and base plate is brass with nickel plating Hood retainer and acorn nut (brass) The pressure bleed and filler cap are brass The pump assembly and retaining screws The control Knob is the round wheel type The vapouriser and needle with brass mesh insert. Note the pricker was broken and has been repaired with a new 0.15mm steel wire. The NRV is not original to this model. It had previously been replaced with the modern Austramax NRV. Note the nut on the screw is swaged on after the NRV was assembled. It would be better to replace the seal by prying the old one off rather than disassembling the NRV (like I did) The burner (nozzle) is in two parts with wire mesh. The burner came with a very fine mesh that looked like it came from a kitchen tap filter. I did get it to work when I increased the pressure significantly. But I still think it’s not right. I replaced the mesh with a larger stainless steel mesh from a kitchen strainer. The wires were 0.22mm Dia with approx 0.7mm between wires.
Testing the lantern on the bench with no mantle. No underburn but there is still a little red in the flame. Good enough to give a mantle a go. I did flatten the gauze off a bit to get rid of the peak before fitting a mantle. Testing of the lantern in the shed. The lantern is fitted with a cheap oversize mantle and generic glass (didn’t want to risk original glass at this stage) With a mantle there was a nice bright light.
A fine example of a very well made lantern, Martin. Thanks for the detailed photos. This model is still on my wish-list!
@ROBBO55 Thanks for the detail. It really helps when we’re trying to sort out the lineage of these Austramax. Great job on the lantern. . Oh! And thanks for showing us that “new” NRV and the advice about not unscrewing the nut. When you showed it to us at Ballarat, it was the first time I’d seen that variation. Cheers Tony
That's a very nice example Martin. Well done on the restore. This matches with what I call the 3/300 version 1. There is a difference from mine and that is the position of the logos.
G,,day Martin . it looks bloody good . with my lack of knowledge it was nice to know about the new NRV . it definately looks nice and bright . cheers kerry
@Nils Stephenson Thanks Nils I thought it was the same as your version 1.. Bugger! a copy error. The logos are opposite each other and between the filler cap and the pump. . Thanks @phaedrus42 , @kerry460 it is nice and bright. Great performers for their size. Thanks @Tony Press it was good to have Bernie at Ballarat to identify the NRV. Kerry was the only other one to have previously seen one.
Then it is the same as my version 1. Just in a lot better nick. You wouldn't happen to want to get rid of it by any chance.
@Nils Stephenson “Thou shalt not covert thy neighbour’s lantern”... (a failing I have often). Cheers Tony
Now, now, just asking a civil question. But I really think you should look at your spelling. It's very stealthy, but still obvious. No, I'm pleased another collector has such a nice example and I'm sure one will come my way someday. We all probably have something that someone else "covets".
@Nils Stephenson Aaghhh!!! Twice in one week! Stealthy indeed. . I suppose you could covertly covet his lantern but you were out there with bells on! Cheers Tony
I also thought you'd made a spelling mistake by missing out a letter - “Thou shalt not convert thy neighbour’s lantern”. Nor your own for that matter...
@Hanzo That may well be the case, but it’s been difficult to piece the history together as much information was lost some time ago. I’ve got a standing request to visit the factory, but the current owner has been unwell for some time. Best regards Tony
The basic design of the Austramax is quite similar to the Coleman 249, so maybe you could say it was inspired by it. Nothing is interchangeable so you can't call it a copy.
Anyone know the specs of those tiny pump cap screws on the Austramax above ? They are not available from the factory, but perhaps elsewhere. Thanks.
What I measure is a diameter of 2.2mm, thread count about 60 TPI and a length of 3/16". This matches very closely to a BA No. 8 thread.