Coleman models 228E (left) and 220E (right) had steel founts. The one on the left, in Dean DeGroff’s collection, is date stamped July 1951, the earliest date we have seen for this model. It lacks the Coleman decal under the filler cap which Coleman started using a couple of months later, as on the right which is date stamped October, 1951. This Model 220D dated A 50 is unusual in having the sides of the brass fount painted green instead of being nickel plated.
Morgan, Corpus Christi, Texas and includes Sheldon Coleman’s name engraved in script. Some of the 202 models presented/engraved to individuals came with a black enamel ventilator, as seen here, rather than the typical green ventilator on most 202s. This lantern, in Dan Boschen’s collection, is dated May, 1959. Model 202, the Professional (left), is dated Jan., ’55. This model was produced for 10 years beginning in 1954 For the first couple of years the burner cap was ceramic.
The information in these chapters has been gathered from multiple sources over a very long period of time. Nothing is guaranteed, but much of it is confirmed. Dates may be slightly different than those found on other websites. The mantles should burn with a bright white light.
We believe this lantern is a Model 221, a kerosene fueled version of their Model 220 above (McRae). The fuel pickup (not shown) is a simple tube and there is a supplementary generator heater threaded into the mixing chamber casting (middle images). After preheating with coleman camping a torch, a row of small flames come out of the rear of the heater, directed at the upper part of the Q77 generator. This lantern, in Greg McCartney’s collection, is date stamped April 1929 (lower image). Coleman made the Model 200A for 32 years beginning in 1951.
It has a single mantle that attaches on both ends and glass dome that covers it. Protecting the glass dome is a wire metal cage with a handle attached and a metal lid that screws on and off so that you can remove the glass dome when the mantle needs replacing. Model E20, the Quick-Lite Jumbo coleman grill Gas Lantern, with a built-on pump (left), and the Quick-Lite Poultry House Lantern, without a pump (right),both featured a 1 gallon fuel tank. Steel wool and a coil of asbestos “rope” inside the globe rest kept dust from clogging the air intake and fuel from dripping on the floor.
Coleman may have been testing the paint or the market for these prior to making all of them this way in A 51. This lantern is in Agostino Del Coro’s collection. The ball nut on this version of Model L227, dated stamped Feb. 1929, is separate from the vent and the ventilator lacks indentations as above. Coleman shipped Model L227 from Aug. 1927 through Dec. 1932 (Strong cited by Becker).
Obviously, we don’t use it in the tent (I’m assuming we’d asphyxiate ourselves?), so you still should have an LED lantern or two. Plus, they just light more quickly and if you do happen to be in a rush, you’re not going to want to fuss with the filling and the pumping and the lighting. Note to readers with old lanterns hanging around in their basements—Wilmot says the glass globes alone can go for $75 on eBay, if they’re rare varieties. The correct, original globes add the special touch to old lanterns, and Wilmot has been known to buy a rummage sale lantern just to source the globe. Beginning in May, 1927, Coleman changed the design of the integral pump from built-on (above) to built-in, as on this lantern in Ron Becker’s collection. L427s built after this date all have the built-in pump.
The instruction sheet identifies it as a US made “Marine lantern” perhaps in an attempt to develop a new market for the model. The preheater cup contains an asbestos-like material (lower image), perhaps to keep the alcohol from splashing out of the cup on a boat on water. This lantern, in Andy Maschino’s collection, is stamped Made in Canada on the side of the fount but in all other features is the same as those made for the US market. The LAMPAK Company, North Hollywood, California, made these galvanized steel cases circa the early 1950s. This case, in Bill Whitten’s collection, is 6 1/8″ square x 13 1/8″ tall without the gas can and holds a Coleman 200A.
You can adjust the light output with the tip cleaner stem or the valve, depending on the model. Click here for an owner’s manual on your lantern if you don’t have one. Hold a match or lighter to the bottom and coleman lantern allow it (them) to burn completely. Remove the ventilator and globe, then spray the lantern with a household cleaner like Simple Green®. Remove as much dirt and dust as you can and remove the old mantle(s).