This is another lamp I have been after for ages. I wont go into why they were produced in Zimbabwe as this has been discussed elsewhere. Anyway, this is a relatively poorly made example of the usual Optimus 930. The main problems being rough finish on any cast items and other parts with sharp edges. The galvanising of the main globe cage is also quite thin and 'dusty'. There are some differences from the 'standard' 930 that should be noted though. The handle is of a thin gauge and is fastened to the top with two threaded pins. The pump uses an O-ring. The control wheel is a late plastic style. There was no wheel on this lamp when I got it so I have used a later wheel of the type used on the last 1200M. This example looks to only have been lit once and only very shortly. Apart from some darkening of the Preston loop, it is almost unused. One thing I noticed was that the Preston loop is hard against the three uprights of the globe cage. So much so that it has left dents in the loop. As the lamp is virtually NOS, I wont be lighting it.
Hi @Nils Stephenson ...A great looking lantern Is that a lacquered brass finish?...Also what year/time frame would it have been made, at all? Cheers!
Yes it is lacquered brass. The lacquer is very thin though, so wouldn't last the first couple of uses. Considering Optimus Zimbabwe started in 1982, it is a fair bet that the lamps were made shortly after. I don't know how long the company lasted, but it couldn't have been long.
