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. Coleman continued making the 242C lantern until December, 1950, even though they were making the new Model 200 above. The steel parts may have been a way to use up surplus parts. The mixing chamber casting has 3 datum targets unique to those made in the Wichita factory.
It is unique among the three in having an attachment to show lantern slides (lower image) in addition to 35mm slides and film strips (upper image). The two attachments are mounted in the bottom of the case in front of the lantern for transport. Note the alcohol preheating can for the kerosene fueled 237 lantern in the images. This lantern is in a Coleman collection near Sugarcreek, Ohio. Press the pump handle down and lightly place your finger over the hole in the end.
Contact our team to talk to a factory expert to help you choose the right model based on your needs. Install a new mantle or mantles on your lantern. Hold a match or lighter to the bottom and allow it (them) to burn completely. These instructions were written to help you safely light and operate an old lantern that you have not lit before, or has been in storage for a very long time. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, both writing and images, without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Coleman made the “D” version of Model 228 from the mid 1940’s until 1951. This one, in Patrick Fay’s collection, is dated April, 1948, and has the original globe on which Coleman appears in large faint green letters. This was the last version to have a nickel coleman lantern plated brass fount and the pump is held in by two small screws, not a spring clip. The brass sided, green painted fount is also characteristic of that time. We believe this lantern is a Model 221, a kerosene fueled version of their Model 220 above (McRae).
An outer infrared filter keeps visible light from shining out the sides. This lantern was made for the military to help direct planes to airfields in or near enemy territory. These lanterns, dated June ’59, are in Mike Rainey’s (left) & Dean DeGroff’s (right) collections. Morgan, Corpus Christi, Texas and includes Sheldon Coleman’s name engraved in script.
The direction disk on this Coleman 237 is stamped Made in United States of America but hidden by the collar the word CANADA is stamped (upper right image, above the red letter A). As on other nickel plated brass founts made by the Coleman – Toronto factory, the month and year numbers are in small numerals in the lower corners of the side fount stamp (lower image). So far we have only seen the CANADA stamping under the collar on Coleman – Wichita made 237s from the first half of 1954. Coleman only manufactured Model 228C after WWII, from late 1945 until early 1947, with some production overlap with Model 228D (below). Model 228C has the same features as Model 220C above including a green painted brass fount, screw-on pump cap, and yellow lighting instruction decal.
This lantern, dated B (July – Dec) 1946, is in John Stendahl’s collection. Coleman’s first production of Models 220B and 228B was May, 1930. Until early 1934 all of the founts of these two models were stamped 220B on the bottom. These models could be purchased with either a Pyrex (left) or mica globe (right). Details of the early construction of these models is shown below.
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). Coleman made this inverted lantern for military trial.
This early 220D has all the same features as the 228D above but is date stamped B 47. The two piece stamped burner (lower image) was used on a number of lamps and lantern models for a short time after WWII before Coleman returned to cast burners. Coleman still sells a variety of lanterns that are powered by propane, kerosene, or camp fuel (aka white gas).
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 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.