So I have this old Coleman lantern I found up at my grandfather’s farm I got it working and it actually works quite well however I’m curious what exactly it is and how to properly use and maintain it I have no plans on trying to sell it or anything so I’m not really worried with what it’s worth
Hi Wesley and welcome to the forum! It's a 242B as you mentioned, and in your second photo, there's a "46" (45?) stamped on the right side of the logo. I can't make out a number on the left side due to the solder (more on that later!), but that would be the month. So the fount was made in 1945 or 46. The seafoam green paint is typical of those years. Nickel was need for the war effort and in short supply after the war so founts were painted. The fuel cap in the second picture is missing the screw that kept the inner part attached to the cap. It's not absolutely needed but helps keep everything together. The globe is a replacement from the 60's so nice to know this lantern had a nice long service life. It looks to have solder on the fount and that's normally to repair a crack or hole in the brass. These don't normally stress-crack so how they got there would be interesting to know. The repairs make it an outside only lantern as naphtha is extremely flammable and should they leak it won't be a good situation. Even outside it needs to be watched and kept away from flammables. Personally, I'd give it a good cleaning, and put it on a shelf as a nice piece of industrial art, and a great reminder of your grandfather. A great family heirloom! Mike.
When I found this lantern it was hanging in the sawmill with a few more they where red (and are missing after a scrap guy was supposed to remove some old Detroit’s ) this one was just hanging there I dumped fuel in it and pumped it up put a mantel in it and it worked lol I’m assuming it may have been crushed by a log or maybe fell onto a saw blade or somthing at one time the sawmill had no electricity ( this farm is very old lol ) my grandfather used lanterns in a lot of the workshops around the property so far the repair is solid I’m assuming it’s been like that for 50plus years or since the globe was replaced however I agree defenitly dosent seem safe Haha
I didn't think they used letters as late as '46, but obviously they did as yours has an "A" instead of the month number. The A is the first quarter of 1946. Nice! I see what looks like a "P" scratched on the bottom. Looks to be some other letters, too. Any significance--like your grandfather's initials, or the mill's business name? These are the best lanterns to find! Mike.
its not my grandfathers initials to what I can see it says p aide he defenitly bought it used or got it free and fixed it as he was in the war and dident end up opening the saw mill untill 1961 not to say he dident have it sooner defenitly used by him and my family tho as it was a family run mill
@Wesley it's a good little lantern with family history. It's working so that's a good start. Regarding maintenance, how far you want to go is up to you. I would suggest Oiling the pump leather with neatsfoot or light machine oil. Replace the fuel cap seal as it is probably old and going hard. Flush out the tank with clean fuel to remove loose gunk. These lanterns have a steel base in the tank. Check the inside for rust. Treat rust if necessary.
Those are my favourite Coleman models. There should be a screw in your fuel cap but it looks like it's been broken off?
