Having searched through the reference gallery here and in Terry Marsh the only reference to there being a model 131 is by Terry Marsh who has a photo of one just like this which he attributes as a model 131. There are a few models i.e. 118 etc that are similar but are either Kero burners or have built in pumps. So this one was fitted out with a Naptha/CF burner and uses an external pump. I am very far from claiming expertise in these lamps so would appreciate any other opinions from forum as to the model and perhaps the years of manufacture .
@David Cully Before I leap in: Is this a Canadian or USA made lamp? Is it stamped on the fount side or base? and, can you show the burner, please, including with view of the back side of the air tube? A very beautiful lamp! Tony
OK. This lamp has been repainted by previous owner so not possible to see any stamps on the bottom but the faint outline of the star shaped logo you get on these is still just discernible . Has a stamp on the front of burner head could be number 5 or an s can't see that well. No patent or markings on the burner or air tube. Oh, and not my efforts with the pliers on the air tube, it came like this!
If it’s a 131, it will be USA-made with: Date stamping on the bottom of the fount, year left (one digit) and month right (two digit); “Coleman Lamps and Stoves” and patent no. stampings on bottom of fount. This photo of a 131 is from the Coleman Book: [International Coleman Collector’s Club (2015) Guide to Vintage Coleman Products 1900 - 1983, p.55] The book says the 131 has a “standard Q70 burner”. Is your burner the same/very similar to this one on my Coleman 159X (but no dimples for an air restrictor)? [Here: Coleman 159X (Canada; January 1952)] Cheers Tony
No. Not the same as the 159x. I have a 159x Kero and it has the little stand-up shoulders on the top of the mixing chamber which the question lamp does not have. Also no number/letter stamped on the chamber either. It does have the square profile on the lower valve assembly as opposed to the hex. I am not ruling out a mix and match of some sort although the question lamp came from the deceased estate of a collector near me along with 6 others all of which appear to be authentic and original. The picture from the Coleman guide sure looks the same. Unfortunately I can't really tell from the photo whether the example from the guide has the square or hex lower valve profile.
I think you’re on the same page as me in how we are wondering about this lamp. I don’t rule out “end of line export assembly,” either. A few Coleman lamps in my collection, bought in Australia and with all original fittings, don’t quite match the USA or Canadian specs. [I’ll dig out an old letter from the USA on this subject]. Maybe @coleman54 or @Toby Garner has a view on your lamp. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press Thanks for your thoughts Tony always greatly appreciated. I think I am just going to love it as it is without possibly ever being entirely confident about what it really is? It runs well on naphtha and didn't come with a pre-heater cup so most likely not a Kero.
The burner and valve body is definitely Canadian in my eyes. Is standard for Toronto kero air tubes to have no patent stamping. I would pull the generator and look with light and feel for a tube insert above if it were mine. @Tony Press @David Cully
I tried running this on Kero and it did not perform well and I can see no sign of the usual little crimping dimples that hold the restrictor sleeve evident on my other Canadian Kero table lamps, so still in the dark. I do think that it is most likely a Canadian lamp though as the majority of Coleman GPA's of this era that appear in New Zealand seem to be Canadian. The square profile on the valve possibly more common on the Canadian lamps?
//////////:::::::::………. Yes you are correct about the valve. The air tube indentions are not always evident especially on Wichita kerosene, and were not the same dot pattern as they often were on Toronto. @Tony Press @David Cully
I agree it’s a Canadian-looking burner. Thanks, @coleman54, for the information on the airtubes. I’ll keep that in mind when I find odd table lamps. Cheers Tony
Here is a Wichita kero burner air tube with insert from 12/1935, I have seen some not as pronounced and barely visible if at all sometimes. . @Tony Press @David Cully Larry
