The Guide to Vintage Coleman Products book shows model 247 shipped from 1934 onwards. Where are the 1934 and 1935 Coleman 247s? Wondering what others think?
This is the sort of unit that fits into that awkward 1934/35 period. Is it 242K or a 247? This a over a year earlier than my 242K. There is no sliding door in the cage base, just a lighting hole. The burner is stamped 3000 and has datum marks. Tip cleaner is an 'L'. The collar has openings at each end. Vent has two slots. Fuel tube is straight and burns kerosene.
Nice lantern! I’d say it’s a 242K. The base rest has two openings (instead of one opening plus one hole) It has a bayonet pump It has a hex head screw in the filler cap It may be that the bakelight tip cleaner wheel broke and was replaced, or possibly never fitted.
@Buckaroo Thanks for the comments and you are not alone in saying it's a 242K with the features you mentioned. I have previously believed it was a 242K variation as well. However, the advice on Coleman 247 models is that they started in 1934 and 1935 and yet the only ones we see in the Gallery and in the Coleman book are all 1936 onwards. It seems the lanterns they made in 1934 and 1935 were quite muddled. This one of mine is earlier than my proper 242K which has the second wheel but not the openeing door in the base for lighting so arguably too it is not a 'perfect' 242K. I guess I was just wondering if the missing 247's from 34/35 are actually just hybrids in the evolution process. Hope that makes sense. In some ways I think it would be easier to deem them a 242K if they have the second wheel and a 247 if they don't for just the two years 34/35 but that was just a crazy thought I had; not necessarily factual. I like a good mystery and await someone showing me a genuine 247 from 34 or 35.
That’s a great point! I suppose it’s quite possible that during the transition, you could have two lanterns effectively the same sold as either a 242K and a 247. We may never know… but like you say, who doesn’t love a good mystery?? Let us all know if you find something interesting!
PS - here’s, mine dated 9/35. It has everything except the lighting door. The preheater is reproduction.
