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Petromax

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:16 am
by eiret25
Hi all. I am just wondering does any member own a Petromax. I currently have three 500HK ex German Heer. Love them, and again.....excellent engineering. The last one I bought from Germany arrived with a broken lens. Pity as it was a 2mm version.
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Re: Petromax

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:50 am
by rolandrat
I don't, but they are fantastic! /\:)

One of my mates is a lamp collector and an expert if there are any questions. :arrow:

Re: Petromax

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:00 pm
by eiret25
eBay.de is a great place to find them, the Deutsches Heer is apparantly selling its stock of some used and some never used!! They are a complicated device that deserve their own book written about them!

Re: Petromax

Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:14 pm
by custardbomb
What makes a Petromax special when compared to other lamps? Whats the relevance of the 2mm version?

Re: Petromax

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2014 1:12 am
by eiret25
I dont have any other lamps only petromax. I think the quality of the old lamps including the metal carry cases and the light they emit excellent. The 2mm glass was only issued to the German Army. Aftermarket lenses are only 1.4 -1.5 mm. A small amount on paper but very noticeable when you examine both.

Re: Petromax

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:29 pm
by custardbomb
Ahh, thanks for that! They do look the business; what era were they manufactured? Are you collecting them, or keeping them for use?

I've just had a look on eBay and seen a German army one here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Petromax-HK50 ... 3f16f26fa9

They certainly are valuable pieces.

Re: Petromax

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:22 am
by eiret25
I have a '59 '62 and '64. The two built in '59 and '62 are un used and came direct for Heer stocks and in near perfect condition, alot better than than one shown in the eBay listing. If you are interested, eBay.de is king for buying them, and prices are very reasonable in comparison . They have a massive following in Germany and a developing one in Éire :D

Re: Petromax

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:53 pm
by custardbomb
Your lucky to find some new ones, what a find! Are there any differences in model years?

I wouldn't mind owning this for proper camping, much nicer atmosphere over battery lanterns. What do they run from, petrol, coleman fuel??

Re: Petromax

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 2:01 am
by eiret25
No difference as such in the German made ones all are really quality made. After German production in Altena finished in late 70's, production switched to Portugal. Still a good lamp by all accounts. But after that all "new" lamps are made in China. Lower quality. Dates (month,year) are stamped on the German made. On the new lamps.... ah I wont even write on them, no point. German made is König or Rí as gaeilge ;) They operate on kerosene/ paraffin.

Re: Petromax

Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:45 pm
by eiret25
Did anyone invest??