That stuff they coat nickel Coleman fount bottoms, has anyone tried removing it in area where dating numbers should be? I have a recent 228B find that shows a "5" on the right, but can't make out number(s) where they should be on the left. Would applying localized heat melt that "stuff" off? Lantern has a combination of early and later features. Duane
The bottom is steel so it’s probably galvanized if anything. I would not go heating it or trying to dig it off. It probably won’t help you view the date any better. Coleman was great at “reversing” the date numbers on these and they were sometimes really stamped faintly and hard to read. Try placing a sheet of paper over the number in question and faintly go back and forth over the paper with a pencil, not real hard! A lot of times it helps you see the date a little better on the paper. You probably still need to do some research on the lantern since the dates could be reversed and you still won’t know for sure the month and year. Early ones have the “220B” on the bottom, there could be the Coleman emblem on the side of the tank. Look for a swag fit on the bail holding it to the cage. This was on some of the very early 220/228B models.
Correct on date switching and some faintly stamped, only asking if possible to remove coating, thank you. This one has the cotter pins which were only used for a short time per the ICCC book. I've tried using a felt marker per suggestion by Harder a year ago on one of my Primus 96 stoves, did not reveal anything, just what my eyes want to see. Maybe some younger eyes can make out something. Duane
Duane if the inside of the fount is pristine sometimes you can see the stamps that way. Otherwise just use a wire brush to reveal the date stamp. What are your early and late features?
This mostly has later features except it does have a knob/valve wheel that is sorta a bloated square hole, the valve stem has been partially broken off or flattened to allow the knob to engage it if pushed on further. The cotter pins on the bail were only used a short time then discontinued. Looks like maybe a "4" on the left with a "5" on the right. Either made in '35 or '34 if those are the only numbers and month would be either April or May. Will work on the left number(s) a little more. Lucked out and found a used valve off the bay and bought missing parts from OCP so should have a complete lantern soon. I had a correct globe I believe it to be. Duane
Duane the cotter pin bails were used on the B series from at least 31-41 the keyed bail I've only found on a 30 model, altho my 31 examples also have the keyed hole in the burner frame, but with a cotter pin bail. Your collar appears to be nickel plated, I've only found those on 40 & 41 models... There may be others. Does the bottom stamping say "lamp & stove" or "lamp and stove"?
The and stamp will get you 35 & later. The pinch welded collar will put you post 38. Larry has a good write-up on the B models over on the CCF. 220B/228B Hopefully Helpful Guide - The Coleman Collectors Forum
No issue now, discovered a couple small stress cracks today after checking to see why there was a pressure loss. Duane
@Toby Garner, below the fuel bung where the stamping is. Real tiny bubbles as the fount would loose pressure along with a very tiny leak out the valve as observed from a occasional bubble out of the genny tip. Tempted to use some Caswells, but that is expensive to use for such a project. Duane
My error, brought to my attention by a CCF member, too many projects going. Cracked fount is a 327 not the 228B. Doh! Duane
