I have just had the fortune to get one of these for £30. First time I have seen one second hand too. Was I ripped off? It looks pretty much unused, no mantle so used a Tilly one and tied the bottom closed, as you have to fire 'em up just to see it work. Lit first time and what a lamp! Fantastic thing, even if the mantle isn't standard the light is awesome. Any usage tips would be helpfull. Hope to be at the Festival of light in October car willing. Car was returned from menders last week after 3 months off the road.
I will think that you did a good deal. I assume you mean that you bought a matte nickel plated German Bundeswehr lantern. They usually sell for around 100 Euro. Do you have any manufacturing date on it. The German made had the date on the name plate but if it is Chinese made it probably has a serial number under the bottom of the tank. I am not sure of the Portuguese ones. We love to see a photo of the light.
Hi, Because it lit first time you've got a very good deal imho! Mostly they need various degrees of maintainance before they run. The Portugese lamps were marketed as Hipolito and are of similar build quality. The Hipolito H502 is the same lamp as the Petromax 829 / 500HK, only rebranded. They're fairly common overhere and give plenty of light indeed. I'm still contemplating if I should bring one camping, because the light may keep other camping guests awake ... Cheers, Peter
This seems to be a lamp with a mix of different parts or the manufacturer wanted it to look like this. It is a Chinese build lamp regarding the red plastic parts, pump knob and quick starter handle. The glass is at least an original Petromax glass, but the rest? The tank is in gold and I have never seen a Chinese lamp with that color. Any one? The cage, hood and pressure gauge are in dark grey, at least it look that in the photo, but the Bundeswehr lamp and the contemporary Petromax "Army" version is in a lighter grey matte nickel plate. There should be two tags on the lover part of the cage if it is a Bundeswehr part. Maybe someone else can identify this lamp. It is not a real Bundeswehr lamp but you have at least got a unused looking lamp, hopefully also working. Michael
Hi, that's a chinese PX clone for sure, also the shape of the hood and the preheater cup is characteristic for those. Nevertheless it can be a reliable workhorse if you take some care for the rust in/on the fount. And the colouring is unique for sure. Assuming that it has no defects the price was still OK. BR, Martin
Seems fine to me, lights and burns very well indeed. Thanks for the info. £30 still seems a reasonable price to pay for a lamp in this condition.
