Hi! I have 2 lamps from Radius and they have a leter on the tank. Is similar to the marking found on Primus? The Radius 119 has a "L" and the Radius 106 has a "W". Or is just to be there? Regards, Frank
Frank There has been a lot of discussion about dating Radius stoves over at CCS. Much of that information is relevant to lanterns as well. The Reference Gallery will have examples of lanterns and discussion of their age; and the Reference Library will have catalogues to help age Radius lanterns. @Mackburner has produced a comprehensive catalogue of lanterns that is invaluable in this field: https://classicpressurelamps.com/threads/the-plc-pressure-lamp-catalogue.13642/ Cheers Tony
Nils has made what's probably the best and most comprehensive compilation of the different variations of the 119 over its 30 year long life span. There are many details that help you to put your lantern, if not in the exact year - atleast in a narrower period. Often just within a few years, like 1932-33, or so. Things like the position of the pump tube, the look of top ball nut, the position of the pressure relief screw, the diameter of the control shaft etc. etc. Much of this does of course mean that you have to assume that crucial parts for identification of the year hasn't been swapped, but the full picture often help you. I suggest that you post your lanterns in the reference gallery, also with plenty of good pictures of all details, and I'm sure that at least the 119 can be pretty closely dated with the aid of Nils' excellent work. Just don't post them in the same post! Just one lamp/lantern per entry in the Ref. Gallery. (The letter stamping here and there at Radius products doesn't help you in the dating process. They are just stamps for a reason we don't really know. Production things, probably.) @Nils Stephenson
