I picked this up advertised as a Coleman, but spotted the name plate with Akron Model 132-42. It has non original Coleman Glass. A departure from my usual Petromax or Bialaddin lanterns. I am look forwards to learning about this model. The plan is to strip it down, clean and gently polish and hopefully get it back to running order. Any advice on age, condition, and general fettling will be gratefully received. Original advert picture: Present condition: Model Plate: Regards, Alex
@Alex Smith Bloody hell mate, that's a great find. Is there "US" stamped on the base? Also she looks to have ceramic burners. This may point towards being the result the Milspec lamps Akron supplied during the war. Perhaps your lantern is one of these from January, 1941? (My MAC won't allow me to install the picture, however you maybe able to open the attached PDF) This is just my uneducated opinion, however its a place to start from in your research. I'm sure others will know the beastie far better than I and can inform you of its pedigree. If you're looking for a really, really good home for her ................ I'll definitely volunteer. Cheers Pete
@AussiePete Thanks for the info, it gives me a good starting point. I'll check the base and see if there is US Stamped (it is rusty, so cannot make out any detail at present). Here is where it gets more interesting - I have a second Akron (picked up earlier this year) - this one is stamped US and Akron Lamp and MFG CO on the base - but no model details on the plate. I'll post pictures of both later today. At first sight both Akron's are missing parts from burner assembly (this one is missing the generator). regards, Alex
@Alex Smith I think the generator is the same as for a Coleman 220 but happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. Henry.
Gentlemen, (@AussiePete @Henry Plews and @george). Thank you very much for your input, it is much appreciated. It has given me the starting point I need (having not come across this model before). Pete, you have sharp eyes, for which I thank you. I started with this: And have unearthed this, well spotted: Top row text reads "US", Middle Row text reads "The Akron Lamp & MFG. CO. The bottom row text reads " Akron Ohio". Once I'd purchased this lantern, I had the opportunity to get my hands on a second Akron, photo below (Right Hand Lantern), the thinking at the time being it would make a good spares lantern - I could see it had a generator. However given it is also stamped US. The Akron Lamp MFG. & CO. etc on the base, it also requires due care and attention to bring it back to life. Here are both together in as purchased condition: The base of the right hand lantern is in far better condition, you can clearly see the US and Akron Stamp: Pleased to have picked these up. I am looking forwards to bringing both back to life. Regards, Alex
Big learning curve this one! Here is progress thus far: Stripped down and cleaning has started. I've not worked on US or Coleman style lanterns before so having to learn as I go. Mixing Chamber (it looks very similar to the Coleman 220C burner set up- please correct my educated guess if it is wrong): Valve. However I have hit a snag, as I think the valve has come out of the fount with its mounting threads from the top of the fount still attached. Valve Assembly I now need to work out how to separate the valve from the treading and re-mount the tread on the top of the fount. The next task is to remove the check valve, and service it (I foresee a Coleman Check Valve tool heading my way. "Please mum can I keep it, it followed me home by DHL"!). Mantle's and 220 Generator are in the post as we speak and I'll being looking for a washer for the filler cap, and a new pump leather in due course. So far so good, less the valve Assembly. Really enjoying getting to grips and learning about this one.
The following pictures may be of interest - they show the top of the fount, and the burner assembly/generator mounting point on two Akron 132-42 Mil Spec lanterns. I've noted @Mackburner and @Norman comments (in Normans separate Akron 132-S-42 Post) that the burning assembly are standard Coleman 220/228 rather than Akron originals. I may have drawn the wrong conclusion, but was this "stopper" that screws into the fount was added to allow these assemblies to be used? (or was there a standard size for such items across the different manufacturers during this period, given that the valve assemble is Akron, and the burner/generator assembles (Coleman) screw in to this). Photos:
Hi Alex, I didn't take mine down as for as you have because when I checked out the fuel tank/fount it was very clean inside. I pressurized the fuel tank/fount and found nothing blocking the pickup tube. Granted this isn't very scientific but it does work in most cases. All of my lanterns are users and only a few are pretty. Akron must have a different bung size for there fuel tank/fount and burner assembly. According to the pictures I'm seeing Akron had to make an adapter so they could use the Coleman 220/228 burner assembly. I'm assuming that due to the US Forces which used mostly Coleman products, Akron would have had to use some Coleman parts for this model of lantern and also Akron parts were most likely very hard to find when a generator/vaporizer went bad. Akron parts today are very hard indeed to find and many have had to resort to altering a Coleman or AGM generator/vaporizer or making a generator/vaporizer from scratch. You are most likely use to using kerosene/paraffin. This lantern above runs best on a Coleman type fuel or white fuel. Don't use auto fuel or petrol because the generator/vaporizer will plug up quickly. I look forward to seeing your Akron up and running. Cheers, Norman
@Norman Thank you for your comments, interesting. It sounds like you did well with your Akron, I would have loved to been able to fire up fairly quickly! The only reason these are stripped as far as they have been is that I can see they are missing bits from the burner/generator assembly (wasn't sure what at first), the eccentric block is also missing. Now I know the "working parts" are early 220 it makes things a little easier! It is a worth while exercise, and I'll put them up the gallery once finally fettled. P.s they will be workers as well - I love a good looking lantern, but they have to work and these just need a wipe over to preserve the original look.
Hello, could I bother you with a simple request. Could you please take some close up photos of the Cautions labels that are on the fount. I have a 132-S- 42 that I'm restoring and I'm planning to have some reproduction decals. Thank you
