Here is my collection of external lamp pumps. Most are American but I believe the longest one is for Evening Star - Kildark. That pump and the one to its right with the green tag were found at a steam rally in Essex some years back so that may also be an English pump. None of them are marked of course but we do mostly know what lamps they came with. The short ones are for Irons or stoves but work OK on lamps. From left to right. Coleman, Leacock, AGM, AGM, Evening Star, Unknown, Coleman, AGM, Akron, AGM, Akron, Nagel Chase, Nagel Chase, Unknown, AGM, 4x Coleman, Akron, Coleman.
Hi Neil, Is there a way to tell the difference between a common garden-spray pump and a lamp pump? I often see pumps at sales and wonder! Steve.
Yes look at the tips. Lamp pumps always have a rounded or conical tip to locate in the cone of an inlet valve. In 40 odd years I have only ever found two in the UK. There have to be more out there because we certainly had lamps here that used them but they seem to be rare beasts here. Plenty out there in the US though. I am currently bidding for three which will hopefully give me two to trade if I get them. ::Neil::
@Mackburner What would be the best alternative adaptor/pump to use on an Evening Star if an genuine pump is not available? Regards, Jeremy
The internal thread is just a tad under 6mm. I am not sure what the thead is; maybe 0BA or 1/4UNF. An M6 bolt will screw in but it's a bit loose. Probably good enough though so best way is to turn down a Schrader valve and cut an M6 thread. However what I use is this adaptor with the threaded bit of a Primus valve soldered to a Schhrader valve body. The smaller thread is a near perfect fit. ::Neil::
I use an DIY universal adaptator A rubber damper fancoil mounted on a bicycle pump. It's not vintage, but it fit all lamps !!!