This came in a wooden box with a shield, three globes and a boat load of parts. A war trophy, GI brought it back home. Only one lantern. Numbers "644" in ink on the bottom.
@Alenstein There is a slightly reddish dot on the bottom and if you look to the right and just below the dot you can just make out a "4", look just a little harder and I think you can see the "644". I hope so, because I'm going blind trying to photograph the damn thing!
George, I would like to see that box and accesories. Is this along the lines of a set of two lamps, hoods and some fuel cans? Is this lamp a 'sleeper' because perhaps only the other lamp was used? Amazing what remarkable items turn up, and would not mind to see some detailing on that beauty of a lamp! Noblesse oblige, George!
@M.Meijer I will post pictures when I root out the box. I have to get my son to pull it out. What I remember, there was no space for fuel cans. There was suppose to be two lanterns. When I got the box, etc, it contained one lantern, one shield, two extra globes, three counting the globe already in the lantern, a load of spare parts, and I believe a couple of tools. No written instructions were present. Box did have a stamp on one of the corners. Looks like it was a metal stamp hit with a hammer. Nazi emblem. I'll get photos.
Wonderfull! I gather then you got this a while ago? I am curious to see if the shade has any markings by Petromax.
@george Perfect condition as ever, a pleasure to see one one in such good condition. A lovely lantern.
@M.Meijer Mike, as I remember there are no markings on the shade. I can't remember if it just one solid color or not; I do know the top side is black. @Alex Smith Alex, thanks. I did very, very little to the lantern when I received it. Just dusted it off and cleaned the glass. I think I've lit it maybe three or four times. I did rebuild it so I felt safe burning gasoline in it. Since it's an 2827B, I'm a little gun shy when it comes to using gasoline. I know I can replace the generator with one used for kerosene but that would spoil the authenticity of the lantern. This lantern is no different than it's kerosene burning brother, no positive shut off.
What @george is referring to is the ww2 German Wehrmacht crate. They all (?) turn up in the USA as war souvenirs. There is one for sale in the bay for some time now.
@george thanks for the comments on the vaporizer and fuel use. I am with you for this lantern, it feels best to keep it original. I've a 1960 Petromax Bunderwehr 829 that came with a straight vaporizer (rather than the preston loop). In this case it I felt it okay to change the straight for a preston loop and run it on Kero, I can always retro fit the straight generator later. P.S it is still a lovely lantern, and I'd love to fine one in such condition. Just a thought, @AussiePete if @george is looking after this one for you, can I book a time slot to look after it too please?
@Alex Smith Alex, I think the German Bunderwehr issued instructions to replace the straight vaporizer on lanterns like yours with the Preston loop type after they experienced several mishaps trying to burn gasoline in these Petromax lanterns. When they "retrofitted" these lanterns they put a yellow label on the tank forbidding the use of gasoline in them (I think I got it right).
@M.Meijer Mike, my son is coming over tonight and I'm going to get him to pull out the box. I remember asking the seller when I "won" it if he could give me any background on the lantern. He told me a GI brought it back with him in 1945. He had to get "clearance from HQTRS" to bring it home. He lived in the New England area over here. He apparently put it in his attic and there it remained for almost 60 years. After his passing, I suppose his property was sold off and that's when I got the lantern. Somewhat of a story with mixed emotions, I guess. We had over 16 million men in uniform at the time and we are now losing them at an alarming rate. Age has caught up with "The Greatest Generation". George
Everyone: I'm really sorry if I hosed up these pictures. I have a bad time, at times, posting them. When it comes to modern technology I'm brain dead!
Thanks, I wish I had been lucky enough to get both lanterns. I don't think the GI got both lanterns either... @WimVe Wim, check the top of the box. There is some writing on top but I can't make it out.
@WimVe Wim and @M.Meijer and all interested. Here's a couple pictures of the top of the box. I can't make out what is written on it. It could gave been placed their by US authorities or perhaps German. I can't tell.