©AWMoore 2005
There are many eastern manufacturers that are undocumented on this site, and tracking their histories is almost impossible, since they appear then disappear without trace, undergo name changes, and resurface an a different company.
Pakistan is a country not exactly renowned for it's manufacturing industry, but it is inevitable that there will be many a small product line turning out copies of established lantern designs for local use. It is most unlikely that these products would ever find their way onto the markets of the western world, especially in recent years as safety standards have exerted more and more influence and restriction on what can be imported into Europe and North America.
Shams Industries in Karachi are a company that has produced lanterns for the eastern markets. Dates and product range are uncertain, but my guess is that the 1970s might be a good suggestion, though there is no real proof of this at the moment. Shams produced "Ship" brand mantles, and at least one pressure lantern in the Petromax style, a 350 cp lantern made of steel, with a globe made from straight strips of glass held in a steel ring. Designated LP1, and branded the "Kiran", this lantern is rarely found outside Pakistan. Overall build quality is rather mediocre, and the life of the lantern and globe would probably be rather short compared to the original German product. Some Kiran Lanterns also carry the Philips brand name, although the association between the two names is uncertain, and may even be non-existant. This example has an aluminium valve wheel, not a good design point as it would get extremely hot during use.
Kiran LP1 nameplate, and aluminium valve wheel embossed with the Philips name
Kiran LP1 350 cp lantern. Globe is made from straight strips of glass
It is possible that Shams Industries also trade in other areas of Pakistan as S. I. Gas Lamps.
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