Picked up this lamp today from an antiques shop. Having got Vapalux's and Tilley's this was new to me. I have done a quick browse and think it may be a Coleman 427K, but reading posts I think this would be quite rare for the UK? I have got it to light up, but it is not very bright, so I think it needs a clean and service. Before I do that, could anyone tell me what mantles I would need? Regards Trevor
Hi For a start try Mantleman on ebay 10 or 12 500cp Coleman mantles for about a tenner i use these modded on British lamps too when the need arrises Best regards Stu
OK to start with if it was a 427K it would have a stamp in the base with the number. Much more likely to be an L427 which is a 300 cp gasoline lantern. They will work on kero but normally never as well as on gasoline. What are the date numbers? I can't read them in you image of the logo. 500 cp mantles are much too big. at 300 cp it only wants 150cp each side. So Coleman #20 would be right although most guys use Coleman #21A. In fact just about any single tie 200 top 300 cp mantles will work OK. ::Neil::
These are the numbers. On the left there is a 0 and on the right there is a 38 (could be a 39) I made the assumption that it was a kerosene/paraffin lamp as there is a cup on the tube which I thought was a pre-heater. It also had a small amount of fuel left in it which smelt like paraffin. Regards Trevor
Well you might be right. 0 39 might be D 39 but in any case is for sure 1939 and in Canada at the time they were making both 427 and 427K. The K version has its model number marked in the base with a rubber ink stamp and that can get worn off. Trouble is the Canadians had a habit of using kero in gasoline lamps so it may just be a converted 427. Hard to tell because they are basically the same with just the alcohol cup added to the kero lamp. Try it. If it runs better on kero then its a 427K "Mountie" ::Neil::
Have looked more closely. It is D39 that is stamped on the front. Here are a few more pictures of the internals. To me, they don't look like they have been modified. How easy are these to 'service' I have changed the washers and cleaned Tilleys and Vapalux's before, but cannot find any information on these. Regards Trevor
OK D 39 is the fourth quarter of 1939 and for a lamp that late a kero version is perhaps more likely so you are probably right that it is a 427K. I am not sure if I have instructions for a 427K but I will have for a 427 and they are near enough the same because the only difference is the addition of a pre heater cup. Simple lamps to fettle really. The air tubes need to be cleaned out so you need to dismantle. Take off the generator and then grip the figure 8 fitting where the burner fits to the flat mid plate and turn the whole burner and plate to unscrew the burner. Brush out the tubes and make sure the mantle cap screens are clear. New seal in the filler cap and maybe a new pump leather and you are done. The pumps on these are a double Coleman check type so there is a ball bearing check valve and the pump rod incorporates a needle valve for a positive lock off. So in use you unscrew the pump cap a half turn and with a thumb over the hole it will pump. Once up to pressure screw the pump rod closed which gives you a lock off so even if the bearing check passes a little it will still work and lock off. If the bearing check is passing too much it can be difficult to get pressure though and removing that valve to clean and fettle is not simple. For that job you need a special tool which I have here. If that is a problem then I am about an hour and a half drive away. Mostly these require very little effort to function. The design is such that they often simply work after maybe 50 years sitting in a shed. If the pump works then fire it up and see what happens. ::Neil::
Neil Thanks for your advice. I did a pressure test on it before I lit it up the first time. No air leaks from the filler cap or pump. I think the tubes need a clean as it didn't burn very smoothly when first lit. It ran for over 2 hours and did get brighter. I think a strip down and clean up of the surface rust and it will be quite presentable. Will wait for my new mantles to arrive first before I attempt anything. Regards Trevor
Yes sounds like a typical old Coleman. They just work. It may be better after a clean but they really are just about as good as it gets. OK I have just uploaded the instructions for Model L427. The lighting instructions will not be correct for a K version but that is only a matter of preheating with meth rather than match lighting. Otherwise they are trhe same lantern. If you want a better set of images PT me and I will bung you the PDF file. ::Neil::
Just a quick update on the lamp. I stripped it down and gave it a good soak and clean. It is definitely a D 39 on the tank. Installed two new Coleman 21A mantles and fired it up. Works a treat on paraffin, no surging or sputtering, just a gentle hiss. Many thanks Trevor
Very good nice to hear another golden oldie is living again. A good burn on kero means it is thenfor sure a 427K "Mountie" Nice find as I have yet to see one of these in the flesh. ::Neil::
