This is my example of the Lilor 4500 lantern. I’ve had a Lilor 4500 tank and burner parts for a couple of years now and recently I found the missing parts. This is a 300 CP twin mantle gasoline fed lantern, from the mid 20,s. This lantern has interesting features; an enamelled bottom plate/shield, a high/big mixing tube and also the entire burner low inside the collar. The burner parts are identical to those of the Lor burner that is the burner in many other Lilor lamps. The only difference is that the Lor burner has a thin brass generator loop, whereas the generator in this burner is integrated into the fuel control/pricker unit. It was somewhat tricky to get this lantern going and I was concerned about the tank getting hot, as the pre heating and burner process is very near to the tank. And yes, the tank was getting warm, so I’m a bit confused and can’t really figure out the engineering thoughts around this setup. Perhaps someone has info or any input on this, Neil, Wim!? I’m now the proud owner of the complete pressure lantern production made by Lilor; the 4500 and the 5080 . /Conny
hello Conny and "bravo" a very beautifull lamp I have a copy of this lamp and I did operate for a whole evening without problem. I see that you have the 2 plain asbestos washers above the tank. They are positioned to prevent the heat to come down to the fount. I think there is no problem. here is mine, you can see here : http://metronius.free.fr/Lampes_m15.htm
Hi Conny, Another visually pleasing French lantern with intriguing engineering. Looking at this burner one wonders how enough heat reaches the generator to vaporize the fuel. The generator seems to be protected from the direct heat of the mantles by the plate and bathed in a flow of cool outside air feeding the air tube. Could it be that the heavy steel air tube surrounded by the mantles is transferring the heat down to the generator chamber? A most interesting design. Dan
No use asking me. I have seen the one in Wim's collection but I have never had one of my own to play with. It's French; what more can I say? They marched to a different drummer and made some very strange designs but they do work well. ::Neil::
Hi CONNY, here are some original papers for your reference, we just got an nice 4500 and 5080 they were classic and beautiful
Almost anything that's French strikes out a sense of elegance. This lantern included. I wonder what conditions could have brought them to this state of development.
Maybe because France was actually late among European nations to industrial modernization and skilled craftsmanship still spilled over into the factory age, not as efficient as the Fordism of the American system but as you point more elegant and beautiful goods.
Ah, yes...skilled craftsmanship rather than industrial productivity could well be one of the points...(at least during that time).
