This is the first Austramax to be clearly identified as an Austramax 200 - although there are other examples of early Austramax here in the Reference Gallery that are also, most likely, Austramax 200. I am assuming that the Austramax 200 precedes the 2/300. Why it was called "200" I don't know as the burner and air tubes are the same as the 2/300, but it probably does explain why there are not any Austramax 1/300 lanterns. This Austramax 200 lantern differs from the later Austramax 2/300 and 3/300 lanterns in having a more squat tank that is slightly wider at the base. Overall the distinguishing features (compared to later 2/300 and 3/300 lanterns) are: The different shaped tank. The hood (vent;cowl) has no brim at its base. The ball nut (cap nut) that secures the hood is longer that later ones. The holes drilled into the cast burner to hold the bail are of a smaller diameter than later Austramax. The spirit dish (heating cup) is cast aluminium and very similar to some 1930s Coleman spirit cups. The pump is lockable to the pump cap. The filler cap is a unique design. There are three other Austramax lanterns with this same shaped tank (see below). These lanterns share the common feature of the tank shape. Two have the brimless hood (the other has a replacement hood). These lanterns do not have the Austramax 200 label, but they do have the holes in the collar where the label would once have been fitted. I think it entirely justified to call these examples Austramax 200 lanterns (see below), as they share the key distinguishing features of my labelled Austramax 200. Austramax lanterns appear in advertisements in a rural Victoria (Australia) newspaper in December 1940. Advertised as a 300cp lantern, the ad incorrectly states that it has a fuel consumption of "10 pints in one hour" (rather than 1 pint in 10 hours). [Source: Australian National Archives] In researching this lantern I've been able to fill many gaps in the early history of Austramax. I'm in the process of writing this up, but I still need access to some company records to clear a few things up. (I will share with @Nils Stephenson and a few others before posting here). "Austramax Model 200"/ "For Kerosene Only" The unique filler cap. pressure release. Note that it vents downward, away form the mantle Locking pump. The burner is common to all Austramax kerosene lanterns and the table lamp. "6" The holes for the bail are of smaller diameter that later Austramax. This small diameter is found in the early Austramax and some early 2/300s The flame spreader is a copy of the Coleman 249. The fixings for the label. The generator is essentially the same as later Austramax generators except that the nipple is a hex. This style of generator locking nut appears on some early Austramax lanterns. Testing Up and Running Other Austramax 200s I'll stick my neck out and say that these early Austramax are also Austramax Model 200 lanterns as they share the same "squat" tank, but their badges are missing: From https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/early-austramax.11089/; This one of @kero-scene, also posted in the above thread. And possibly this one of @Dale Main which has been modified in repair: Early Austramax It's still a mystery as to why Austramax called this lantern Model 200, when it performs the same as the 300cp Austramax. A mistake? False modesty? Cheers Tony
A very good presentation of a rather rare piece of Australian lantern history Well presented as always Tony
An excellent find that is helping to piece this fascinating bit of Australiana history. The shared Coleman (Australian made lanterns) features make perfect sense. Globe; bulge or not too bulge, that is the question? The early ad may not be reliable in that regard; hmm.
1. I should point out that the globe on the lantern that is the main subject of this thread is a modern Austramax straight-sided glass. The globe it came with was a broken Brazilian bulge globe for a propane lamp, with the same dimensions as a Coleman globe. 2. The globe on this other early Austramax 200 (below) is possibly original, and is only roughly the dimensions of the small Coleman/Austramax bulge globe. 3. The Austramax Model 200, the subject of this thread, was found in Blayney, New South Wales (where I used to work at the abattoir during school holidays). Cheers Tony
