Ian Keates, who bought this lantern in Switzerland for his collection, does not believe that it had been disassembled before. This 200A has a factory finished, white painted fount. These may have been made in a limited number to give coleman canopy to dealers that Coleman wanted to recognize for their service to the company. There is nothing engraved on the lantern as on a plated fount presentation lantern. This lantern, dated December ’53, is in Jamie Oren’s collection.
Make sure that the valve wheel is turned fully clockwise to the closed position. Rotate the pump handle counterclockwise one full turn, place your thumb over the hole in the end and give it a few pumps. If there is no resistance when pressing down on the pump, you will need to repair it before continuing.
A similar lantern was made by The Mantle Lamp Co. of America. The decal on this lantern (lower image) identifies it as T 53-5, which may be the date of manufacture. The lantern is in Richard coleman sleeping bag & Lorna Long’s collection. Coleman 237 lanterns with an American Optical film strip and slide projector (left) and a Society for Visual Education Inc. slide and film strip projector (right).
You can use them to light working space while preparing food or assembling s’mores. Continue playing games after sunset, or create a soothing ambiance as you relax and enjoy the outdoors. Keep some handy in case of a power outage at home.
The center globe cage base disk is stamped Sunshine Safety Lamp Co., Kansas City, MO. These two Quick-Lite lanterns are unusual because the pump is only partially mounted in the fount. The check valve can be seen between the pump and filler cap. Air from the pump is piped up to the top of the fount.
These lamps, notably ‘The Efficient’ Pendant Arc lamp No. 6, were manufactured by Irby & Gilliland in Memphis, Tennessee. The construction of the above 228B built in May 1930 includes a swaged bail that will only fit in the key slot on the frame member when it is under the frame. As a result the bail will not detach from an assembled lantern. 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. 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. Light a match or lighter and hold it below the mantle(s).
You can find a local hazardous waste recycling facility by doing an internet search. If you have no previous knowledge of the lantern you are working with, or if you do not know how long it has been sitting, please perform each step. This will help you confirm that your lantern is safe to use, and that it functions as in should. If you need to make any repairs, I will provide links to other sections of this website.