New Petromax owner - couple of questions please if I may

On the Petromax and clones, I actually prefer the older design with the two flat nuts on the J-tube. Its more troublesome to adjust the height but holds in position far better.

 

Well if there's no stamped date code on this design, I'd guess its from the mid to late 1950s when there was a number of transitions towards the last one(1960s to present).
The frame collar for example. The simplified metal lever for the rapid preheater was a later design. Since there are no date codes, these features and the respective patents would be the only indications of its possible age.

 

If there is anything I can show in closer detail then let me know. I'd be stunned to think it was from the 50's. I was cross as it had a couple of dings in it, but if it's older them I am then it's done darn well.

 

Always worth looking on the base with a magnifying glass. if it had a date scratched in it it may be quite obscured by now.

 

Well, I was about to say, "I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing on the base.." when I thought, bit rude, let me have another look. Nope, nothing. But it is pretty dirty. Torch, nope nothing. Magnifying glass, Jeez, there's no damn date OK?? Then I thought, I might as well give it a scuff over with some Autosol now that I stink of paraffin. I wiped, scrubbed, wiped again and it was thick with dirt then ...

WTF, is that something there? More rubbing, more Autosol, more dirt......


0722

Does that make it Weds 7th Feb 1962?

 

I think it's the tuesday of week 7 in 1962 = 13th Feb 1962

 

Why the hell I said Weds, I've no idea. Ahh, I think I was looking at weeks within the month, not annual week numbers. But reading previous articles, it's suggested that this it total hokum and they're just random for the military?

 

No the four digit date code of the sixties is official mentioned by Herman Lahde in his book.

 

Blimey, well thank you all once again. I'd never have thought it. 1962? Wow, these things hold their value then, what did they cost back then?

One more question though, why in 1962 would the Germans stamp them with Made in Germany - in English???

 

Export market I should think.

 

"Made in Germany" was born on August 1887 in England. That day the "Merchandise Marks Act" was passed. From now on, products from Germany had to be labeled "Made in Germany". Bad goods should be labeled. But the German manufacturers improved their products very quickly. And so the stigmatization soon became a seal of quality.
Regards Reinhard

 

Thank you Reinhard

 

You've finally found the date.
The lantern certainly have all the features of the 60s design.
If you couldn't find the stamped numbers, then it would really be a rare prototype or an odd one.