Until now,I was unaware that Solex also manufactured lanterns with an output of 500HK-and even equipped with a rapid preheater. This preheater,the upper section of the carburetor featuring a broad, outward-facing fin,and the red-enameled hooded cap bear a strong resemblance to Petromax Rapid models from around 1940. It is likely that this Solex 500 HK dates from that same period.Originally,"300 HK" was stamped on the tank ; subsequently, the "3" was overstamped with a "5". Right at the 5 , the tank had two holes . During disassembly-despite my utmost caution-the die-cast zinc ring securing the Rapid lever snapped off;however, I happened to have a nearly identical replacement part from Petromax in my stock. This italian pressure lamp , too, lacks a compression spring around the pump rod and a locking mechanism for the pump knob on the pump cap. The J-tube features a soldered-in wire,instead of a movable paddle; the connector body #224 had three airholes-whereas Petromax models had four,and later two .All the parts differed slightly from these found on Petromax lanterns . The hand wheel ,marked Solex bears a distinet resemblance to these found on Italian FAIR pressure lanterns. Incidentally, the resemblance between the ItalianSolex/FAIR lanterns and the German Petro Pintsch lanterns from the early 1950s is striking .
Yes, a very beautiful Italian lamp. Seen from a distance, you might have thought it was a Petromax, but up close it’s quite different. A fantastic find – there can’t be many of these around, and certainly not ones that have been relabelled by hand. And, as you’d expect from you, it’s been beautifully and meticulously restored.
