ML93 lamps

I have aquired 2 KL80 lamps that are was quite tarnished on the tank top cover. I cleaned it up with a scrub bud but the finished didn't look like brass, more of a gold paint color. Were the KL80s painted on top with gold paint? Another question, the paint color on the bottom, is it baige or white, hard to tell on the ones I got.

 

I'm not absolutely sure about the exact finish on the top of a KL 80 as it left the factory except to say that there would have been one, probably a shiny brass-coloured lacquer. This generally wears off through frequent polishing and is often removed completely and the tank top polished - that's exactly how yours appear to my eye.

The tank sides were originally a light beige/cream colour and this will best be seen under where the suspension ring sits. Your local car accessory/body shop will probably have an aerosol 'rattle' can of something similar or you can get a can mixed to suit. The original colour will have changed over the past 70 years or so and in my mind 'near enough is good enough'.

Hope that helps...

 

Those are not KL80 lamps. They are Model ML93 lamps which are the basic lamp part used in several models of indoor lamp such as the Jacobean, bracket lamps, floor standard lamps, Oak block and yes the KL80 Harp frame lamp. The cream paint best match to the original is Arran Beige which I think is an old Rover colour and can be found in good auto accessory shops. ::Neil::

 

Those ML-93 tanks are from the 1950's/1960's and the factory finish was cream painted bodies with a highly polished and lacquered top.

The first link below shows a 1955 Tilley catalogue which shows that variation of ML-93, the lamp which is called a KL-80 is also shown there and the second link below shows my KL-80 from that period.

https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/1955-tilley-cat.421/

1961, KL.,80.

 

I brought some a few years back with a few reflectors . they were spun

 

Thanks for that info Neil. I had no idea what they were as I could find no markings. I just searched online until I found something that resembled the ones I had and the KL80 fit the bill. ML-93 make more sense as I found the same base lamp in several configurations. The wife wants me to order the harp, reflector shade and the heat deflector for both of these. I sourced the bits a few weeks ago. The ML-93, decked out in KL80 dress looks absolutely awesome. Thanks for setting me straight on the proper numbers for these lamps.

 

Yes, but perhaps not in St. Johns, Newfoundland!

 

Lol. You never know.

 

No worries and it was not a criticism. I just don't like to see them given the wrong model number. It is a mistake seen often on the Bay and it can be misleading. Being, as I am, a pedantic grumpy old git I would love to see this practice stamped out. ::Neil::

 

Don't worry - we all still love you, Neil...

 

Title amended accordingly.

 

Not a problem Neil. No one likes making errors on public forum or anywhere else for that matter. The distinction clears up the confusion I had as to why there were so many different identifications for the same model of lamp. Once again, thanks for clearing that up.