The Protector Lamp Company are still at Lansdowne Road, and their
'phone number is 0161-789-3013. I've found them to be very helpful
people. Other sources of help on flame safety lamps are available
through the Mine lamp Collectors site on the Internet at
http://www.asi.fr/~minelamp/
Two good books on lamps are "Les Lampes de Mine" published
by the Musee de la Mine at St Etienne in France, and Henry Pohs'
"The Miner's Flame Light Book".
Your lamp sounds as though it has an internal electric relighter: -
connected to a battery power source, the coil would glow and ignite
the spirit fuel similar to an electric cigarette lighter. The problem with the
filler sounds like it needs a bit of gentle freeing off. In use, you
should be able to
lock it securely, but then only be able to unlock it with a magnetic unlocking
device, such as would be found in the lamproom for use in unfastening
the lamp for filling, cleaning and trimming and inspection of the gauzes
and seals. Many of these lamps have had their magnetic locking devices
disabled so that owners can get them open without spending around £120
on what is basically a permanent magnet. But that of course makes them
illegal for use in safety lamp mines. The filler lever, which also acts as the
blocking lever preventing unauthorised opening of the lamp, is locked by a
metal bullet attached to the end of a spring which fits inside the brass
mounting. These have often been drilled out (there's a soldered seal underneath
the mounting).
Hope this helps.
John Gibson
>I am no authority on flame lamps, but when I bought a Protector lamp
>(for £11.50) in 1976 I also bought a brief (56 pp) centenary history of
>the company. It was then based at Lansdowne Road, Monton, Eccles,
>Manchester. I could supply a photocopy if all else fails.
>________________________________________________
>
>Christopher J Williams, 65 Stancliffe Avenue,
>Marford, Wrexham, Wales LL12 8LN
>
>Tel: 01978 852601
>________________________________________________
>
>
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