I would appreciate any help to identify two lanterns that i found Both are still as found. two possibilities- One or maybe both were converted to a quicklite burner as promoted by Coleman or LQ 327 Thoughts? Thank you Agostino (I will post pictures of the second lantern separately underneath) as
Hi Agostino, both are early model QL originally, Coleman did not list the QL stamped collar in the conversion list of components. Both lanterns you show are from the transitioning period of mid late 1917, one has the flat bottom mixing chamber with air tube support screw, and both have transitioning hex fuel filler one with air stem of the round filler version, the other with the air stem of the hex type. The first lantern shown has the transitioned reinforced bottom mixing chamber. In this same time frame the rounded fiber valve wheel was also being transitioned to straight edge also with no stamping. I am guessing the valve gland nuts are 7/16” having a stop and not the earliest 3/8” that has no stop? (Dangerous) Coleman official US designation “LQ” began September 1918 from “QL” although the Model QL stamped collar remained 4 more years , the box were marked LQ 327. Hiram Strong shipping records show his entries listed them as LQ from their beginning September 1916.
@adelcoro Interesting lanterns..... I only have one small catalog with a LQ327 image I believe the frames with lighting doors are correct The hex fuel filler would be incorrect for the LQ The valve wheel with rounded shoulder appears correct. The vent nut appears correct also but these carry over.....so ??
Forgot this picture.....it shows a hexagon fuel filler..... The mica matches yours yours also......redundant with the lighting door......
Hi Bill, Coleman catalog images and advertising are known by researchers to sometimes use older cut images for some time and are not always time line component accurate after their original use, the document you are showing was printed later 1918 or a time afterwards. Example: Coleman Catalog no. 27 1924 still uses the model “QL” for an “LQ” image, including round filler, torch lite frame, and rounded fiber valve wheel. @Konabill Larry
Great info guys I appreciate it. I will mark them down as US LQ 327s It's simply amazing the mystery behind these models. I will try to keep them as original as possible and display them next to my Canadian Lq's
Agostino, the conversions are usually pretty easy to spot, this action was a sales tool by Coleman to help bolster the popularity of Quick-Lite. The listed conversion parts list by Coleman did not include a new collar stamped Model QL. It was very expensive to convert in that time especially after just making an investment for a torch lite when you could buy a new QL for the same price as an IL, QL was being shipped in September 1916 and the first NL didn’t start to ship until December. I have a few different effective “July 1 • 1916” Coleman price lists. (Early & *Update) Here are new lantern prices : Model / Wholesale / Net Retail / 2019 CPI IL : $ 5.25 • $ 7.50 = $ 162.44 today NL : $ 5.00 • $ 7.00 =$ 151.61 today QL : $ 5.00/*5.25 • $ 7.00/*7.50 = $ 162.44 today Conversion listed Metal parts : valve,generator, burner : $ 3.50 = $ 75.80 today QL mica with reflector & match lite door : $ 1.20 = $ 25.99 today Total conversion price : $ 4.70 = $ 101.79 today Dealer core credit for returned metal parts : .25 = $ 5.41 today Total cost of a converted NL Original price/ conversion cost/ Total $ 7.00 + $ 4.70 = $ 11.70 = $ 253.40 today Converted IL $ 7.50 + $ 4.70 = $ 12.20 = $ 264.23 today This comparison shows it was a very expensive action for the consumer. Likely cost prohibitive in early times, especially for those who chose not to spend an extra .50 cents for a tip cleaner (NL instead of IL) when they could have purchased an earlier shipped Model QL in the first place ? My opinion is a small trickle of conversions were performed early, most were likely done a considerable time later after original purchase, with later made components, there are more original torch lite lanterns being found regularly now, since there are so many more searchers for older anything Coleman product today. If in fact the Coleman Wichita factory converted any torch lites before leaving the premises as some researchers claim may have happened, with a stamped “Model QL” frame rest it must then be technically considered a manufactured Coleman Model “QL”. The frame,globe(base,collar) rest : was not included in the Coleman conversion metal part list. Frame Base Rest 1917 price : .60 = $ 12.99 today More than twice the amount of credit offered to dealers for returned metal parts. Coleman shipping records show : model QL began shipping : September 1916 model NL began shipping : December 1916 * later updated price, I believe to adjust for increased cost of match lite reflector mica. Larry
Hello All, Here is a picture of one that I have. The collar is brass on this one and my other Airolanterns are steel. No stampings on the fount or airtube. Hopefully the pictures upload ok.
@The_Wiseman9 Nice early one, the brass collars are few as hens teeth. Is the valve gland nut 3/8” ? Larry
