Petromax 523 March 1940

Discussion in 'Lanterns' started by Reinhard, Sep 11, 2024.

  1. Reinhard

    Reinhard Germany Subscriber

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    Petromax 523
    500HK
    3 40 = March 1940
    Rare vapurizer
    Probably two ways to preheat
    Needle bar and needle were missing

    I'm looking for more Information about this Petromax 523 and this second option for preheating

    IMG_20240911_141721.jpg IMG_20240911_141745.jpg IMG_20240911_142124.jpg IMG_20240911_141940.jpg IMG_20240911_085216.jpg IMG_20240911_130113.jpg IMG_20240911_140143.jpg IMG_20240911_140129.jpg IMG_20240911_084327.jpg IMG_20240911_084649.jpg IMG_20240911_083836.jpg IMG_20240911_083152.jpg IMG_20240911_083356.jpg IMG_20240911_083918.jpg IMG_20240911_084347.jpg
     
  2. Harder Sorensen

    Harder Sorensen Subscriber

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    Very nice lantern!
    My guess would be solid fuel tablets?
    Cheers
     
  3. Piotrek

    Piotrek Poland Subscriber

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    Interesting lamp in proper hands ;). That plate is the same as in 823/6 and R826. I did not know that it may be for tablets, but it makes sense. Vaporizer quite similar to these from 823/6 and R826 as well. I wonder why they made these older design solutions in 1940?
    I like that white top a lot - finally something different from Petromax.
    Really nice :thumbup:

    all the best,
    Piotrek
     
  4. Reinhard

    Reinhard Germany Subscriber

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    @Harder Sorensen
    Yes , you're probably right.In the picture before cleaning you can still see remains of asbestos.There may have been an asbestos disk attached to the panel's three brackets.You could then probably light and preheat a fuel tablet on this asbestos disc.Unfortunately,I don't have any documents for this Petromax 523.
    IMG_20240910_143232.jpg

    @Piotrek
    This way of mounting the vaporizer has the advantage that it can be aligned more easily.The lower part including the riser pipe is part of the pressure vessel. If you have to change the riser pipe in the tank, then you have a problem.This design solution is no older.
    The white hood cap is original Petromax.The red hood caps were reserved for the Petromax Rapid.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2024
  5. Piotrek

    Piotrek Poland Subscriber

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    Thanks for info @Reinhard
    White hood - this is the only one in the whole Petromax gallery here, exceptional example.
    Such a plate for asbestos and vaporizer I have only in 1927-28 Petromax lamps. These features seem to be unusual for later Petromax production. I just wonder if that lamp my be a result of WWII impact on parts production and that Petromax was using whatever they had available then, some old, spare parts as well? It is just my speculation, because this lamp seems to be quite special and I would like to learn more about it.
    Anyway, I like it a lot for many reasons. Congratulations.
     
  6. Reinhard

    Reinhard Germany Subscriber

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    We don't know how long these Petromax 523s with white caps have been in production.I have now looked at a second 523 with a white cap in the Pelam forum.I am not aware of any Petromax 523s that were made before these 523s with a white enamel hood cap.
    For me ,there is not a single component on this Petromax 523 that I could associate with war-related production.Material,workmanship and technology were at the highest level,typical of the lanterns from E&G from 1938 to 1940,recognizable by the two-part wheel.
    This remarkable vaporizer was certainly the most solid thing E&G has ever used for a 500 HK kerosene lantern.No expense was spared to produce something good.This changed suddenly in 1941 due to the war.
     
  7. MYN

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    What a nice unique Petromax.
    Yes, I too have the opinion that E&G was at the pinnacle of technological development and manufacturing prowess just before WWII.
    I do have a 500hk Petromax 523 but it is a post War unit.
    The only other Petromax with a white enamel I'm aware of is the Argentine Petromax 833.
     
  8. Titoo

    Titoo France Subscriber

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    Congratulations Reinhard this Petromax lantern No. 533 is not common and it is in very good physical condition.
    The white hat and the generator unusual is magnificent.
    A very nice reference piece for a collection.
    As usual you have done an excellent restoration job on this one.

    Regards,
    Titoo.
     
  9. Piotrek

    Piotrek Poland Subscriber

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    You are right @Reinhard about
    Usually brass was replaced by steel in WWII examples that I have and that also vary from example to example. Your 523 is top quality, just uncommon design/series.
    I have to admit that I have problem with finding some typical differences between usual 523 and 826 models. 523 are less common for sure, but unfortunately I am not able to indicate some unique design features that differentiate 826 from 523. Still plenty to learn I guess :content: Maybe I should dig more into Library section :-k
     
  10. Reinhard

    Reinhard Germany Subscriber

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    Before the war ,the Petromax 826 and the Petromax 523 were two completely different lanterns.They had different tanks,vaporizers and hood caps.
    After the war ,the only difference between the two models was the jet and needle and the name plate.
     
  11. Piotrek

    Piotrek Poland Subscriber

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    Thank you Reinhard. Hope to find one old 523 for myself one day.
    all the best,
    Piotrek
     
  12. Reinhard

    Reinhard Germany Subscriber

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    Piotrek,I also didn't know that it was so difficult to find a pre-war Petromax 523.And I also had no idea about these differences between the pre-war 826 and 523 until now,

    Regards Reinhard
     
  13. Willy Germany

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    A very beautiful lamp, very splendidly cleaned and then so rare. Congratulations Reinhard!
     

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