So I have decided not to restore these 2 lamps, but to give them a modest oily rag fettle. The Vapalux I have had for a while the top didn’t come with it, I had from another lamp, so not sure if it’s correct. The glass with hole, sadly cracked but for me adds to the character. It had red washers when I stripped it (I’ve kept them) and loving the filler cap (I have shared his before so forgive me) also interesting that knurling on the handle fastenings is different, probably just a defective one. I may get bored during the lockdown so who knows what they will look like in 3 weeks time, I may have gone mad and painted them pink or electrified them...
I have an almost identical lamp but without the globe. My tank is brass but in more or less the same condition and I'm faced with the same dilemma. Restore or wipe and leave it at that. Personally I love the challenge of restoration so I think I'll probably go ahead and paint it up. Also, the collar is steel whereas the tank is brass so painting will bring it all into line.
Steel tank Halifax YES, Newer 300X hmmm no lol. You need to stop the rust anyway and there isn't much paint, pretty much my dilemma last month... I believe mine has even more unusual handle fasteners...strange.
We won't know if any lockdowns anywhere around the Globe would develop into a survival situation. I'd say, the most essential would be to make the lantern fully functional for now. By the way, your lantern looks great @paparazi . I don't know if you could bear to fire her up too much .
@Gary Waller @paparazi the handle fasteners on your lanterns are very similar to those found on the hand lamps. Hand Lamps Henry.
@paparazi thats a nice restoration, interesting I can’t see a pressure tit on the tank, I have both brass and steel tank versions but both with tits (excuse the phase) there are so many variations. I take your point re the 300X so this is her in progress, making use of the fire to harden the paint, it’s a bit more red than I planned just got the top to sort...