I found this blowlamp in my grandads shed and wondered if anyone can name and date it. It has benzoline engraved on the tank which is perhaps the fuel? Any help would be greatly received from all you experts. Thanks
It is a Max Sievert, Swedish petrol fuel blowlam. It says so on the tank. I think it would date from the 1930's.
Hi, as you can see, your blowlamp was made in Sweden, by Max Sievert, also very well known as the company that made SVEA stoves. They have a very good reputation, making quality products. Your blowlamp was designed to run on white gas (like Coleman fuel and the likes). The dimple on top of the fount is the pre-heat cup (for 'cleaner' pre-heating you can use methilated spirits, but CF also works just fine). Do the normal leak-test (or simply replace seals anyway, that's what I do ) and prick the jet. Basically, these work like your run-of-the-mill stove. Have fun! Best regards, Wim PS., you can find more info on these at CCS our sister site! Many CCS members also collect blowlamps.
Morning Wim, I am in the shed fettling another Bialaddin Bowlfire. This one I am going to fit one og George's replacement guards on, they are very stylish. Steve.
Thanks Steve/Wim, so is Benzoline in affect white gas? I wil check out CCS to see if i can find the answer to a couple of other questions regarding this blowlamp. Thanks again guys
Hi nrogerson Steve's (shedmans) and wims discription is bang on. It is for petrol gasoline and i would go with shedmans date,it was made around the 1930's upto around 1940. As it has a wood handle which and a safety valve on the filler cap which was first used around that period earlier safety valves from the 20's and earlier used a soldered brass rod systeem later models used either a metal handle or bakelite, i dont think your blowlamp has had a lot of use so a basic washer seal change would bring it back to life
Try googling for blowlamp history I did once come across quite a good site on blowlamps and some history of same. Nice one.
I am a big collector of blowlamps as well as stoves and lanterns, Here aare a few pics of my lates restoration,of a early 1920's blowlamp. This is period of the early 20's and earllier as the handle was origionaly wrapped in cane work,the regulator knob is made of hard wood,and just under the burner the spike is the old version of the safety valve. It is basicaly a brass rod, that was attached to the bottom of the tank, and was soldered around the top where it passes through the top of the tank,if it become over pressureised or over heated the solder around the top of the rod would melt and let all the pressure out of the tank. Here in the above is a typical early petrol blowlamp fettle,in the pics you can see the various parts and how it works i will add another pic of it working as i have reached the maxinum amount
HI i think you have one of these self pressurising types 8) ... Mine has a different filler cap with larger shielded cover Just watch out or you'll be up to your eyes in them as they multiply exponentially These are great tools & simple to use , but I would service it first before use as it may need new seals & control cock graphite packing , leaking petrol vapour is DANGEROUS Stu
Quite a collection there Stu i do have another one but needs a bit of work. I going to have to try and resist the urge to not get anymore despite them being cheap as chips at times, i dont have the space either as my wife keeps pointing out.
It's not about the monetary value of these it's more about the ability to keep them working as they were intended to be like any of the lamps & stoves we collect there are some interesting ones which can be used to help fettle what we have just like they were used by our collecting predecessors
I see your point although i struggle with tempation when i see a bargain to be had... one more wont make a difference.. i keep telling myself
It's a Svea type "A". I asked a friend who's having a Max Sievert blowtorch addiction Max Sievert website
