Sometimes a lantern has just that "little bit" extra that shines through the advert, no matter how well camouflaged. I've been to collect this chap today, a lovely surprise, I wasn't expecting what I found. Story behind it, a barn find from a elderly gentleman's farm. It looks to have never been/seldom fired and is in super original condition:
Wow @Alex Smith you found my lantern, I forgotten that I left it the barn, thanks mate. Seriously, it’s a great find. Cheers Pete
Wow, that's almost pristine! The little bit of rust on the hood can be drastically reduced by using a Brillo pad... gently of course, and washing the crud away. Alternatively I've used abrass wire brush on hoods to clear away rust spots. You'd be surprised how much of the rust is actually discolouration.
@AussiePete I hadn't realised you have a barn in the UK, I'll pop it in the post soonest! Do you have many barns worldwide? @ColinG Thanks for tip on getting rid of the rust on the hood. I've given it a quick rub with a brass brush and it has come up a treat. @BigStevie Now that is the million dollar question. To be honest, I'm still debating with myself to light or not. I suspect she will get lit at some point, I like to see them going.
@Alex Smith Alex, that's always a tough one. "To light, or not to light, that is the question!" If it's been lit in the past then I would light'er up! If not, then don't light. That's my two cents worth!
I second that George. There are many lamps out there used, but very few in (like) new condition. And either way, very nice looking lamps, which goes for the nearly identical Bialaddin 305 II also. But I do notice an old style actuator knob of the 300X and 305 Bialaddin range. Nothing to worry about: W&B probabely just found a few of these left a 20 years later and completed some lamps with it , an established routine at Spring Hall lane!
@george and @M.Meijer Thank you for your thoughts on firing or not. You both make very good points. I think, given the condition of this one, I'll leave it unlit and preserve the present condition. As you point out, there are many lanterns, but few in such a good condition given its age. I am not short of a lantern or two should I fancy some light!
Alex, I for one have not ever been using some lamps in my collection. All in a used condition and nearly all complete and original, but I never felt the need for all of them to produce light once more. I enjoy their looks, studying them again if some message here prompts me, and reasonably know they could be made to work anytime. That is enough for me. Regards, Mike
Mike, interesting, thank you. Originally all mine were for lighting and using, and I took pride in the fact that they were workers. I sit somewhere in the middle now, I have 3 that are unlit and will remain that way, I've some that make the occasional visit to the garden for the pleasure of seeing them alive. I have also ended up purchasing 3 "working lanterns" (Modern Coleman 295's) that I don't mind picking up the scratches and dents of use that provide light when I need it (Camping, gardening etc). Nice collection by the way!
Alex, with solar powered LED working lights that are infinite more practical and much cheaper, I have to scratch for reasons to use any pressure lamp. Yes, occasionally for the pleasure and satisfaction to go through the ritual of starting one up, not seldom as a demonstration for people that gaze in wonderment. I keep a beater Tilley Guardsman on my allotment; in the last 4 years I must have used it only twice. I do enjoy collecting relevant information however. These simple and modest W&B lamps have been honoured by a very nice and beautifully illustrated book about them, written by Ian Ashton. Buying that book was my best investment, as I 'use' it by far the most, and it serves as a basis from which I look for additional info. Amazing how much more there is to discover about just this small manufacturer, thanks mainly by means of this site.
@M.Meijer that's a damn nice collection... and all lined up in their proper chronological order - very pleasing to my OCD!
OCD Colin? Hm.. I guess I am in my LGT phase (Let Go of Things) as I am selling most of my lamps. In fact, the 310 depicted I just sold and shipped, the 315 is for sale here in Holland. And today I am preparing a listing on Ebay for some more, with several more to follow. I just upload some of my pictures here for future reference! But, if a nice book would appear about Primus, or AIDA, I would buy it right away. Mike
Mike, re using lanterns. Totally agree there are cheaper and more practical methods of lighting. I've spent years using such things on expeditions or living/working from vehicles when space/time and the environment demands a light weight, safe, easily usable and maintainable equipment. In fact I've actively steered away from pressure lanterns in the past for these reasons. These days I have the luxury of time and space to fiddle with such things when I need light and if they fail, I always have a head touch!
Don't fire it... you can go forward but not back, and I bet you have plenty more to play with. ( I have a crappy old modern tilly I got from ebay for 15 quid that had not been fired only storage wear and tear complete with water damaged box... I will keep that unfired just because!) As Indiana Jones said... This belongs in a museum!
@plantpot totally agree. This one will be left as it is and will not be fired. I've plenty of others to play with!
