Hi All Just finished fettling this Austramax 3/300 that sports an original mica globe. This first image is from the bay of evils, I neglected to take an "as was" photo. The lamp was purchased reasonably clean and just needed some TLC. The following images are the lamp's parts after cleaning prior to assembly. The nickel plated frame rest or collar has no marking whatsoever. The fount or tank has 2 identical stampings located on the the fount on opposite sides. The hood or vent is in excellent condition retaining all of its original enamel. I reused the original leather pump cup, just re-oiled it with neats foot oil. The filler cap seal was the only part that need replacement. The following shows one of the Austramax stampings. You may have to magnify the image however it displays the standard Austramax logo with the model number 3/300. The fount has a stainless steel bottom and it has nickel plating, not chromium, dating this lamp to before 1962. The mica globe is in reasonable condition given its usage and age. There are no holes albeit there are some creases. The lamp was assembled, and to help future re-fettles I used a nickel anti-seize paste on the threads. Of course ....... the "Money Shot". This lamp was one of the easier fettles, it was easy to light and runs very well, I like it. It's a good addition to my other Austramax lamps in my collection. Thanks for looking. Cheers Pete
It’s looking great, Pete. Thanks for the photos. I often ponder the mica on the Austramax. I wonder, in fact, whether the mica is “aftermarket”, or a sellers option. The earliest advertisements for Austramax refer to them as having a Pyrex chimney. Cheers Tony
Well done Pete, you've done a good job there. With the pump cap that is held by two screws, this is what I call the second variation of the 3/300. They are not that common, so good to see it. It will have been produced sometime between 1948 and 1952, more likely just before 1952. Anyway, because of that I am quite curious about the fact you say it has a stainless steel base. Can you double check that please. I would expect this version to have a brass base that is nickel plated, like the rest of the tank.
@Nils Stephenson Thanks for the heads up, I originally checked the base with a magnet and assumed because of no attraction that it was stainless. After reading your comments I rechecked and in a discrete area of the base I was able to determine that the base is brass. Thanks mate. Pete