I searched through many Dietz brochures, catalog cuts, advertisements, price lists and any book references I have and it appears the Ideal Inspectors lamp was introduced in 1916 and were originally tinned steel finished in black enamel as stated in Dietz ads. According to Richard Barrett this finish was changed to just tin plate in the late 30s' until they were dropped from the line in January of 1944, he notes that an optional guard was available in the 20s'. In every image I could find all were large fill and I found none with the later type spiral wound wick raiser. I have a pair of these, one in the black enamel finish and one I believe is the later tin plate. They are identical except for their fuel caps and the words "Little Wizard" are not stamped into the fount on the black finished one, both have patent dates stamped into the air tubes but no manufacturing date. I found other images on the web of the black finished ones that I was able too zoom in on the fount and they too seem to be missing the Little Wizard mark. Here are photos of mine for comparison. Do let us see how yours turns out.
Regards,
Willis
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