That's a good question Stewart! I'm not sure of the best way to answer either the B model Coleman's were produced from 1930-mid 40's. If you'll notice the two numbers on the bottom of your fount the 0 being the year and the 4 being the month. Now how do I know the 0 is for 1940 and not 1930? Well now we need to look at the features... The biggest giveaway is the bottom fount stamping. The early ones were stamped Lamp "&" Stove whereas in 1935 they were stamped Lamp and Stove. Many more features to look for that would take entirely too long to write out Does Larry @coleman54 have his Coleman B guide here? It's a must read for any Coleman enthusiast.
//////////////:::::::::::............ @Toby Garner , here is a guide from the past with a few update edits. Moderator feel free to move this to a more proper place. 220/228 B Here is a hopeful attempt to help with component time frame identification. Please keep in mind nothing is definite concerning Coleman’s production as there was always some bleed over with all products, likely due to parts mingling of new design while dispersing older stock. 1 : Sunshine logo may or may not exist on side of fount 1930-33 both type are found with *No Definitive Pattern. Although the first believed production stamped date 0/5 May 1930 examples found to date have no side stamp. 2 : Long eccentric block transitioning to short in October 1930. Some may still be found in 1931 with bleed over. 3 : Key hole shaped frame where bail enters with fitted bail “swedged” upper side only (removable) ended mostly 1930. 4 : Key hole shaped frame where bail enters with “Round” bail end with cotter key retainer transition in 1931. 5 : Round frame hole with Round bail end with cotter key retainer 1932-41. 1941 on “swedged” 2 sides upper and lower (non removable) later. 6 : Some had brass direction disc on valve wheel some had aluminum. 1930-31 both type are found with *No Absolute Pattern. Aluminum mostly, brass occasionally 1932 - on. 7 : Winged smooth filler cap 1930-32. Three piece found mostly on later ones so bleed over is evident. 8 : Screen on fuel feed tube entry 1930-32. 9 : 220B stamp on bottom of fount on all 220/228B 1930-34, with Instant Lite Stamp. 10 : Coleman Lamp “&” (ampersand) Stove Co. stamp on bottom of fount 1930-35. Coleman Lamp “And” (word) Stove Co. 1935- on. 11 : Sunshine logo stamp on bottom center of fount 1935-on. 11 : 220B vents are brimless 1930- began transitioning to brims in 1935. There is some early advertising showing brimless white underside vents with one example found on a government 220 B believed to be original. Vents with brims mostly 1935- on. 12 : Frame rest(collar) lock seam fastened 1930-1938. Spot weld fastened 1938- on. 13 : 220B lantern instructions included with new lanterns dated : 5/42 May 1942 and 5/43 May 1943 : Show ceramic burner caps and nut holder with part numbers, that never appeared in Coleman catalogs but show up on examples for a short time. 220BX lantern instructions included with new lanterns in box dated : 10/43 October 1943, and later 220B show standard burner caps. There may have been a window of opportunity for these with ceramics with bleed over on BX lanterns, but verified examples found with BX stamped box have standard burner caps. @Mackburner @Tony Press Larry
@coleman54 Hi Have you seen other winged caps with the relief hole drilled at an angle through the wing, instead of straight through the caps side??? This example found on a 10 of '31 228B
