Hi everyone, Now the auction has ended I can ask the question that has been burning since I saw it listed. Was the TL10 or 11 with the reeded column ever made in a short version? Silly question I know because i'm looking at one but why can't I find any reference to it on here or anywhere else, as far as I can see, on the web. Could it be extremely rare or perhaps never mass-produced? Anyway i'm stumped Perhaps someone with a bit more knowledge could enlighten me and maybe someone on here is the lucky new owner and will post some pics at some point. Best regards Matt
Saw this one but just assumed the column had been shortened, would be possible wouldn't it to cut down and weld back in place?
Hi Jean, that was something I did think of but the condition suggests it has been stored for quite some time and i'm not sure people would modify their lamps in that way back then. Unless the column got damaged and they salvaged what they could. It was not knowing, that stopped me going for it too hard. Hmmmm the puzzle continues
Hi matthew i saw this too and reckon someone cut it down it looks proportionaly wrong as well and the big solder seam under the control cock looks wrong. Maybe someone just wanted a shorter lamp so chopped it down a bit people in the 50s\60s could do stuff like this was a time of fix it dont throw it away and buy a new one like it is nowadays. With the tilley factory anything is possible and stuff turns up not documented but i doubt it left the factory like that cheers pete
Hi Pete, I can't say I noticed the solder seem I thought it looked like silver paint or dull chrome but I didn't think that was right as the tank is obviously gold although it does appear to cover the majority of the column. It is certainly a strange one but i'm sure we will get the bottom of it.
With Tilley you can never say never but in this case the probability is no they did not make it like that. A lack of documentary evidence is one thing but we all know that does not mean it was not made. After all the Chrome plated TL106/136 is not documented either but they exist. In this case there is not only no paper but there are no lamps except this one. In a model that was made from the mid 1920s to 1945 if they had made short versions we would have surely seen them by now. ::Neil::
I also examined all of the photos of this lamp carefully and my opinion is that it's most likely a cut down TL-10. However, it looks like a WW2., lamp and there are many unusual lamps from that period, if another example or two surface, then that will proove my second theory, Jeff.
Hi folks, I thought I would now break cover and let you know I took the gamble on the lamp and it arrived today I have attached a few photos of the interesting bits. There are no signs of cuts, joints or solder. I was very pleased to find the control cock unscrewed in the normal fashion as I was expecting to find it soldered on to the end of the stem. It does appear a proper short stem rather than modified ? I did wonder if the silver finish was solder when I was bidding but it does appear to be paint. The lamp needs some TLC but is a great project, even the pins and springs are good, gallery needs re-aligning. The tank is badly marked and I will try to clean it up to preserve the decal which is virtually intact (says Tilley Lamp Table Model) but may have to revert to a repaint and new decal. Hopefully others will turn up in due course to help confirm it was factory made ? Last picture shows comparison against a TL136 for height etc, looks in proportion (although glass not original on the 136...) I wonder what model Tilley would have given to this lamp ? Regards Dave
Hello Dave, it's a fine lamp and it should restore well enough. How deep is the socket for the control cock, is it just deep enough for the GF control cock which it came with, or would it take an XN? Jeff.
Hi Jeff, Hope you are well. As I thought its only deep enough for the GF, tried an XN but it isn't deep enough. I am not too up on the timeline for Tilley control cocks, any idea on possible date ? By the look of it I think it is the original cock. Bit of a mystery lamp this one. Cheers Dave
Hello Dave, yes, I'm well thanks. The fact that the socket is only deep enough for the GF control cock, confirms my opinion that this is a WW2., lamp. Tilley introduced the GF control cock in 1940. It's also possible that this lamp was made by a Tilley worker for his own use, but if more examples of this lamp surface, then it's a so far undocumented lamp, Jeff.
Hi, Comment from a real amateur here: is it not just that it has a shorter vapouriser tube? If you put the longer Tilley vap tube on it, it surely would be the same height? Also, the control cock does not seem to be right; too much thread showing to be original maybe? Perhaps I am being too simplistic or missing something? Steve.
Jeff, Interesting about WW2, if only we could find out the history of some of our lamps ! Steve, I had unscrewed the cock from the socket just to illustrate that it is a proper thread as we wondered if it had been bodged on there with solder. It does screw fully in. Its a good point about the vaporiser though, I think it is a short one thats fitted, will fit a long on tomorrow and see how that looks against the 136. I will also measure the length of the stem against a normal TL10 and report back to the forum. Regards Dave
Well David, you may have the last laugh! I was certainly convinced that it was a cut down TL10 but it looks O.K. How is your collection coming along now and did you ever find that Vesuvius blow lamp?
Well then this is interesting. David I think your gamble has paid off. I'm no expert but looking at your more detailed photo's i'm convinced it is the real deal. I think you can sleep easy tonight knowing you've got something that quite a few people around here would like to own. Me being one of them . Well done and let us see when you have finished cleaning it up. Best regards Matt.
Hi Jean, Will send you a full reply later via email/PM I have emailed the vendor of the lamp just on the off chance there may be some history that wasn't passed on, doubt it though but will see. Matt, will certainly keep the forum updated as it comes along, will try to clean the tank up with something like white sprirt or meths to see if that will shift some of the dirt, looks like years of paraffin being spilled on the tank, along with water, maybe kept in a leaky shed ? Might try a wash with warm water and washing liquid first before trying anything harsher. I could always mask off the original decal and spray up the rest of the tank. I wonder what others would do with this one ? Cheers Dave
Hi David, Great I look forward to seeing what you do. I think you should clean up what is there and see how it looks, then you can decide whether or not you should do anything else. If you can clean of most of the crud then some car polish may give the old paint work some lustre. My Vapalux 300 was causing me the same dilemma, paint or polish? But in the end some T-cut brought the paint up and also gave any exposed brass some shine although remaining heavily patinated. Good luck, regards Matt.
Hi Matt, Good idea with the T-cut, hadn't thought of that one, will give the lamp a wash and then see how that does. Jeff, I use a vinegar bath for cleaning galleries, burners and vapourisers, works a treat and with a little polish they come up well. I would be a little worried putting the tank in the bath as it might lift the decal, am hoping I can keep that intact. Will keep you posted on progress, not started on it yet, reminds me I need to go out and get a few bottles of cheap vinegar to top up the 'bath' ! Regards Dave
Well david looks like its a bit unique and not a bodge up, well done and your gamble paid off. Think the seller would have got more if he had tried a bit harder with the pictures stopped many bidding i think. Never seen one like this before just shows who knows what will turn up in the future ceers pete
Thanks Pete, will update the thread as I get the lamp restored. Interesting one for sure, I bet there will be more lurking out there... Cheers Dave
Well I did see this and thought it was a home made job ?? But I have one like this as well but always thought it was home made but now I'm not so sure I think mine has a smooth colum but can't be sure until I get home as I'm on holiday at the min looking for more lamps. Lol I have had mine lit and it works as it should ???? I will take a picture and post it here when I get back Anyway a nice pice and if your thinking of betting on any horses soon let me know the name of the horse Regards. Kenny
