Hi all, so I finally got one... I know this model is a bit contentious due to its inflated cost but it's nice to have an unfired lamp in such complete form. I'm told that the owner was a very prepared ex military man who must have used and respected one of the things that we now covet. I'm thinking early 2000's based on previous entries and curious as to whether the silver variant was for civvies as there is not a broad arrow or crow's foot in sight! The paperwork still contains that backwards military speak when referencing parts etc. So I'm happy to have any information that you can add, here's the pics. I'll be honest and say that this will stay unfired but the feeling is odd! I like to fettle and gire my lamps..... this is a different animal!
I'm going to stick my neck out and say earlier- '90's or even late '80's because: Silver painted tank rather than olive drab with warning decals. No steel guard ring on the frame. Shaped glass rather than cylinder glass with steel plate support. Older style knob on the jet cleaner.
@steerpike451 I see your head poking round the corner and I'm happy with it chap. Tbh I'd forgotten about the straight glass, ring, label business, have looked it up before it sort of got sidetracked by the silver tank for some reason. I also thought that because it isn't a vapalux etched globe that it was later !!! The older the better for me.
I'm with steerpike on this one, my reasoning is that these lamps in silver were on the shelves in the stores at the air force station where I used to work in the early 90s. My first 320 came from there as it was being thrown out , it had a broken glass and was sooted up, user error, my gain. I purchased the parts required from Willis and bates at the time, very cheap. Regards Ian.
@nicky boy The disc around the centre nut and the instruction with Nato Stock Number make it a military lamp. A good purchase. Here is my 320 in action Vapalux M 320 Matthias
