First, I'd like to say Hello to everybody, because I'm a new here! I got from my friends 2 photos with ask which one will be older 200, or 300P? Especially which type of Optimus font is older? Thank you in advance!
Would I be correct in saying that the Optimus 200P model is later than the Optimus 200 model? 300 and 300P?
Hi Jakub and welcome. The 200 font you show is from about 1938 to the middle of the 1940s. The 300P font is from the late 1940s to 1956. The 200 (and 300) model started in 1931 and went through several variations until the middle of the 1940s. There was a second version of the 200 (and 300) from the middle of the 1940s to the late 1940s. They looked very similar to the 200P (and 300P). The 200P and 300P started in the late 1940s, but the 300P stopped in 1956 when it was replaced by the 350 model in 1957. The 200P kept going until they stopped production (currently I think in the 1970s). There were several variations along the way.
Hi Jakub. Nice lamps. I am mad for any old Optimus (and Swedish generally) old lamps and lanterns. The info above from Nils is very helpful. What i would like to know is when Optimus added the extra number and started the 1200, 1500 etc range.
Thanks for that answer, @Nils Stephenson . My next question: Vaporiser compatibility between 200, 200P, 1200, 930, Radius 108, Petromax 821, 827, etc? I have a 200 lower vaporiser which has a slightly smaller diameter screw thread where the upper vaporiser attaches than the 200P and all the other 200-250cp units I have compared it to. I know on the various 200's there are slight differences in the design of the globe cage, e.g. placement of lighting hole, pillar thickness, etc. Then, lastly, there are at least are two distinct variants of the 1200; the one with the swivel preheat torch lever and positive fuel shut-off and then the one which is more like the Petromax Rapid design. What were the manufacturing periods of these?
This is a bit trickier. I have seen a 1939 catalogue in English that does not mention the 1200 and 1300 but a 1940 catalogue in Swedish that does mention them. It is possible that the 1200 and 1300 started before 1940, but I just don't know. As for the 1500, that is even harder. All I can say with certainty is that I have seen it in a catalogue from 1952. The 1300 and 1500 only lasted until 1956 when they were replaced by the 1350 and 1550 respectively in 1957. The 1200 continued, but with the new style lever quick starter. The 200 had the smaller diameter thread where the vapouriser and excenter block (or whatever it's called) join. The Larger diameter thread started with the 200P (this is also the same for the 300/300P) Excluding variations, I make it three significant versions though personally I would make it four. The first 1200 had a wheel style quick starter of the same shape as the cleaning needle wheel. The cleaning needle wheel was red/brown and the quick starter was black. The lever style quick starter started in 1957 as it was the same item as fitted to the 1350 and 1550. The final change was to the Px style on the final variation of the 1200M.
Hi guys! Really thank you for all yours answer and so a warm welcome to the forum! I have to apologise for my poor English, because I'm still learn this language. Thank you!
