I recently asked a question about changes during the Tilley X246A production as I had a couple of mine flagged as early and late but I had forgotten why. No-one responded, so I thought I'd look into what I could find in CPL and elsewhere and by reviewing my own X246A line up. I was pleased with the information gleaned and what I found that seemed new and so I thought I'd share the results. Introduction In 1946 Tilley released their new storm lantern, model X246, which quickly underwent several changes settling around 1950 as The Guardsman storm lantern. This iconic version was available in sprayed gold lacquer or with a mirror like finish using speculum metal plating. The steel cage on these consisted of a straight frame supporting a cage with 3 rings which held the globe and supported the hood (ventilator). Two prominent related models, based on the X246, also ensued along the way: the BR49 had its height increased and was intended for British Railways usage the X359 featured a quick lighter which quickly failed but it did also introduce angled cage supports, with 2 rings and a distinctive ‘X359’ hood. the lesser sized X410 model should also be noted as having some similarities too. In 1961 whilst the standard Guardsman was still being produced Tilley released a new model called the X246A which coincided with the Tilley production being moved to Dunmurry in Northern Ireland. In late 1964 the X246A was replaced by the X246B. The Regular ‘Angled’ X246A The new model X246A Tilley flagship lantern was released in September 1961 and manufactured through to December 1964. The model number was prominently displayed on the side of the fount through to around April 1964 when the model number was omitted. Tilley A246A (April 1963) Tilley A246A (Mid 1962) Pump knob; very V shaped The Odd 'Straight' X246A Initially, for unknown reasons from April to December 1961 some standard X246 ‘Guardsman’ lanterns were offered with the new model designation “X246A’ stamping. It has been speculated that these lanterns were “early production from Northern Ireland” (N. McRae 2024 – PLC 99). Because these uncommon X246A stamped ‘Guardsman’ lanterns have been found in small numbers they are now, arguably, referred to as the first version of the X246A lantern. This is sort of strange though since some BR49A models were also stamped as X246A (N. McRae 2024 - PLC 99) and released with longer angular cage supports. These lanterns are not usually considered as X246A models. Tilley 'Guardsman' (1961) models stamped as A246A Observable Changes in the X246A Lanterns Hood Colours The early production lanterns gold founts had brown hoods until about early 1962 whilst plated founts had black hoods. Irrespective of fount colour, later hoods were all black (N. McRae 2024 - PLC 99). Control Cock The straight caged ‘Guardsman’ models with the X246A stamping usually had the GF2563 control cock. Regular X246A units had the GF777 control cock through to early 1962. After that the smooth X246A control cock appeared through to mid-1963. Lastly the X246A aluminium control cock featured a groove through to the end of production. Pump Clamp Nut and Pump Knob Initially the ‘Guardsman’ type pump with its larger clamp nut and standard looking pump knob were used but around the middle of 1962 the smaller clamp nut and the very V-shaped pump knob appeared. Pump Bush The early threaded pump bushes were stepped with a slightly thicker part closer to the fount that was usually around 1.010” and the outer part being 0.987”. This is readily visually confirmed. Then from early 1963 the bush is smooth and almost a perfect 1.000” size. (L) The stepped bush & (R) The smooth bush Fount Size The earliest X246A founts have a taller rim (15 mm) than later models (10 mm) and appear to be the same base font as was used in the X359. Tilley early X246A with taller rim Tilley X246A (1961 to 1964) Identification One mantle kerosene (paraffin) lantern Rated at 300 cp. Steel cage held by 4 legs attached to studs set into the tank and secured by brass knurled (cylindrical) round nuts. Brass fount with Speculum plating or ‘Gold metallic finish’ Vitreous enamelled hood either brown or black (usually with 2 lips) Vapouriser 606 fitted (approx. 5 ½ ”) Other Pre-heated with a clip on alcohol torch No reducing bush was needed for fitting the control cock Early Production Side of fount stamped “TILLEY Model X246A Manufactured in United Kingdom” Very early production models, e.g., Sep 1961, have a taller rim. Pump clamp nut - large size Threaded pump bush – stepped Control cock GF777 initially Brown hoods until June 1962 then black, but export models were probably all black Middle Production Control cock X246A smooth aluminium (mid-62 to mid-63) Later Production Model number omitted from fount (about Apr 1964) Pump clamp nut - smaller size flush with inset bush (about late 1962) Pump knob strongly V shaped (about mid 1962) Threaded pump bush – Smooth (about late 1962 or early 1963) Control cock X246A with one groove (August 1963 on) Black hoods (from July 1962) This information is as accurate as I can find or observe presently but as usual, when more lanterns are posted it may be possible to tighten up some dates even further. Any corrections are naturally welcome. Iain
Great work documenting this and very informative for us newbies For info My Nov 1964 X246A, fount not stamped as X246A, but base stamped 1164XA has a brass not aluminium 777 control cock with the brass holder for the round 155 valve seal , I believe the lamp to be as built when I received it, condition of all parts would suggest so
@Beanie All the control cock/pump parts went aluminium by late 64 on the introduction of the B, so those are some of the last of the brass bits. I do like the A style pump and they're thin on the ground in isolation (imo). I only have two B lamps and the first thing I did was throw the aluminium bits in the skip and replace them with a mix of A parts and PL53 bits (which share the same thread as I recall).
Thanks Muzzleflash, this hobby grows quickly. I was first enticed Nov last year when I saw the lamps Mr Swanky does, nearly bought a done one, but was torn on th finish, traditional or modern VW (I have a VW Transporter too). Glad I dint as I found a tired lamp a few weeks ago when away in Bridlington, had no clue what it was but it was ripe for restoration , hence the X246A. FF a few weeks, I'm now restoring a Bialaddin M305 from 1964 and have 4 X246Bs in the waiting room, these im currently using as is, 2 are speculum and I'll keep the best of each example and pass the old others on, I have just took a punt on some lamps needing serious restoration, but worth it I think, its the restoration I enjoy The list of "wants' is growing and I'm keeping my eye out for keepers of the types I'd like own
@Beanie Thanks for mentioning your late model X246A brass based control cock 777, which looks like it may have been plated originally. I chose not to expand, at this time, on the later production 777 cocks and just point out that in the later production they all have a groove which is still quite correct and useful for immediately knowing they are a later X246A. Later Production I probably should have referred to the above as a 777 control cock but very often they are just referred to as X246A control cocks, perhaps to differentiate them from the traditional GF777. In the advertising, parts lists and instructions I have seen that they offered the earlier (about 1961 and 1962) control cock 777 as "plated or gold sprayed finish". I haven't been able to find much on the subtle differences later on but knowing the date of yours will help me in that endeavour as I do have some of the other ones dated such as the smooth aluminium one. Good luck too with your Bialaddin 305. They are a nice unit.
