Thanks @presscall. I don’t have any experience with Optimus apart from a 930 and there was no identifying marks that I could make out.
The heavy tarnish on the tank would obscure any ID. I was taking my cue from the pre-heater lever pattern, marked ‘Sweden’ and the red enamelled cap. It helps too that I’ve a 1550, an Optimus re-badged as a Primus when Optimus took over Primus but indulged in some badge engineering to maximise sales, presumably to potential customers loyal to Primus.
It would be a fine restoration project and I noticed that the ceramic nozzle is lying inside the cage and it's thread appears to be broken.
@presscall It seems to be very heavily covered with something. My feeling was that it looked like matt paint or something similar so not sure how well that would restore. @JEFF JOHNSON The ceramic nozzle is definitely had it and there was some light rust on the bottom of the fount but it seemed to be surface rust as far as I could tell (but I’m certainly no expert) The price struck me as a bit on the high side and the seller wouldn’t budge at all so I walked away but who knows, I might go back and see if it’s still there
The guy doesn’t believe in haggling He’s had the lantern for at least 18 months and I’ve made a couple of offers but to no avail. Some you win some you lose
I doubt if it is all belonging together. Looking at the shine of the globe cage versus the dirty tank and top makes me wonder.
Hi Wim, I hadn’t even noticed the cage wasn’t darkened the same as the rest. It could be that it is from a different lantern ♂️
It's an Optimus globe cage. You can tell by the holes around the bottom edge of the collar. The darkening has been done on purpose as the mounting point for the quick starter is also shiny.
Thanks @Nils Stephenson , so it likely will be a complete lantern. I suppose one reason for the darkening could be that the original plating had got into such a poor state that a previous owner thought that it looked better or maybe just no worse.
