I bought a delapidated Tilley X246A, and brought it back to its former glory. Note the brass preheat cup. Is it normal? Please help with decoding the code; the first letter seems like an upsidedown 1.
It's working well and a Tilley meths torch is normally used to preheat, but that meths trough will do the job too.
Hi Sedgman, Why is the first "1" upsidedown? Artisan with a "hangover", on a Monday morning shift? And then, the second "1" is actually a capital "i". Confuses me!
Hi Alby, I asked "WhatsApp meta AI", and the answer was, that the "A", means it was made in England. Do you know when manufacturing was moved to Belfast?
Jip, I thought the separate torch was standard. The preheat cup looks very authentic! Would you know if later lanterns had preheat cups as standard, (or even older lanterns)?
1961, I believe? Yours has the control tap and pump from the guardsman .. looks good from here pb edit : I think Jeff has answered your question.. tilley used the clip-on meths heater as standard but did also supply a paraffin fuelled preheater that was standard on some models or as an optional extra? (hope ive got that right)
@Jacob van Pareen It’s either 11/1961 or 1/1961 with the first mark a mistake. Does it say “Made in England” or “Made in UK” anywhere? The preheater cup is not Tilley. No Tilley was fitted with a preheater cup on a 606 or 169 vapouriser. I’ve never heard of the letters meaning anything, let alone “A” meaning made in England. Given the academic credentials of your AI source, I’d be asking it for a reference to that statement… Cheers Tony
It's burning bright. The preheat cup is for a Coleman 237. I have bought a Tilley with the Coleman cup as well.
Thanks Tony. Your experience in lanterns cannot be bought and is só valuable! On the fount it reads; MANUFACTURED IN UNITED KINGDOM. What is the difference between a 696 or 169 generator? How can I tell which one I have? Thanks Podbros. bros.
Thanks Andrew, I think this cup is a good "upgrade". I find it strange, that Tilley never adopted this upgrade, or is it a Tilley upgrade? The pre-heat cup is far superior, in both the material as well as finishing, to any of the Coleman cups in the lanterns, that I have.
“Manufactured in United Kingdom” indicates that it was made at Dunmurry in Northern Ireland. Therefore the most likely date for that stamping is 11/1961, because Tilley was still in England in 1/1961. It’s a rough stamp! The 606 is the correct vapouriser, and is the one you have on your lantern. The 169 is longer. Cheers Tony
Hi X 246A, Sounds like a well engineered after market product, made by Bairstow Bothers... Thanks for this lead!
@Jacob van Pareen Sadly, Bairstow Brothers no longer manufacture Vapalux lanterns anymore, however they still exist as an engineering company: About | Bairstow Brothers, Precision Engineers Based in Halifax Vapalux are now made in Korea and are said to be of excellent quality: VAPALUX Regards, Jeremy
Hi @Jacob van Pareen I note you have mentioned that your Tilley fount is stamped on the side as Made in United Kingdom. Your post though has piqued my interest in 1961 Tilley lanterns as it is a vexing year of change. Would you kindly confirm that apart from the oddly stamped date on the base of the fount is there any other text stamped on the base plate? Many thanks and good luck with your restoration.
Thanks @Jacob van Pareen The made in England on the base versus the Made in the United Kingdom on the side of the fount helps in a discussion of these models. One thing we can be certain of is your lantern was made in 1961 and inside the UK. Please see my post Tilley X246A When and Where
Update: On the side of the fount there is MANUFACTURED IN UNITED KINGDOM On the bottom it reads MADE IN ENGLAND As Sedgman mentioned, 1961 was a "vexing year if change"..... What then, was the official name for the "British Isles", back then? By the way, South Africa also left the British Empire in that year!
The official name of the nation was/is: the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" often abbreviated the the United Kingdom, or UK. It succeeded the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland" (officially in 1927) after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922 (now the Republic of Ireland). The UK contains the three countries of England, Wales and Scotland, plus the region of Northern Ireland. Great Britain is the geographical name for the island that contains England, Wales and Scotland. The "British Isles" is also a geographical name for the combined islands of the region, including the island of Ireland. The use of the term "British Isles" is not well favoured in the Republic of Ireland. Tony
Thanks Tony. Thus I gather the stamping on the bottom of the tank; "MADE IN ENGLAND", is just more specific on the place of manufacture, compared to the UNITED KINGDOM, on the side. Similar to manufactured in Queensland, versus Australia?
In this case, the difference in stamping is a reflection of the move of the company from England to Northern Ireland. Yes, UK is less specific, but given the times, “Made in Northern Ireland” may have carried some political baggage; also, 1961 was the period when the UK began discussions about joining the European Economic Community (which it joined eventually in 1973). Tony
My compliments on your thorough knowledge of the history around the 1961 Tilley 246A! I smile at the "political correctness" of Tilley management in those days . It makes this hobby so much more rewarding, than just to add a lantern to one's list.
