Wasn't sure whether to put this under "other models" or not, the mods. will know. Sorry there are a lot of pics, but since it's one of the first Optimus lamps I thought they might be relevant. I can see the following differences to slightly later versions... The top cap bolts are round-head steel instead of cheese-head brass. The mixing tube is made of folded brass or copper sheet instead of tubing. The pump is small and simple with a flat-faced button (though I've seen a very early 200 with this pump). Obviously the fount is embossed with 821 instead of 200. The one piece vapourizer has absolutely no markings whereas the very early 200 vapourizer was marked with "optimus Sweden 200" around the base. No marking's on the jet, possibly original. Though the glass is marked 200 it's from the right period, maybe Optimus was just starting to move over to calling them 200 but the fount took a little longer to change? Just as a footnote, I haven't actually tightened the vapourizer into the fount yet because the pricker rod assembly is still missing (can anyone can help source one for a 200?) Cheers Trevor
That is absolutely not something to apologize for! This is the reference section, and the whole idea with that is to have many pictures so you can see the differences between the years, other interesting details and solutions, markings on the globes, how the engraving is done etc. In fact it's the people who just post one frontal picture of a lamp/lantern in the reference gallery that should apologize. Regarding putting it under "200" or "other models", I personally think you have placed it under the correct category since it practically is a 200, and here's probably also where most people would search for it if they are here in order to get information about it. Any input regarding that would be nice.
Very nice Trevor. If you ever get tired of it, you can always send it to me. The mixing tube is very interesting. That's the first time I have seen one like that. I wonder if Petromax ever did the same? There are two things I would like to mention. The first is that the top hat looks like it has a sharp edge. All the Optimus 200s of this type have a rolled edge on the top hat. The second is the block that screws into the tank. It isn't quite the same as the one used on the single piece vapouriser on the 200. Here is a picture of mine (thumbnail). Yours has an extra section on the opposite side from the cleaning needle control. This looks like it is prepared for machining if it was to be used on the 200B (petrol version). This had a positive shut off valve on that side.
Cheers Christer. Thanks for all the info Nils, believe it or not that's a rolled edge on the cap. One of the things I forgot to mention is that the metal-work on the cap is VERY thin and that's why it looks like it has a straight edge. In fact I moulded it back into shape with my fingers over the base of a glass beaker! That's really interesting about the vapourizer, I compared it with pics of others loads of times and didn't even notice. Looking at Conny's 200B I understand what you mean. Another thing I forgot to mention was that it came from the West coast of Scotland. The Father of the person I bought it from had it for ages, but couldn't remember where he originally got it. Thanks Trevor
