This is Unimet model GL3 made by the Union Metal works in Hong Kong. Not sure of a date but probably in the 1950s or 1960s. This model is a close cousin to the J.C Higgins lantern sold by Sears Roebuck in the US. Not the same lanterns though as this one has a seperate filler and pump but the burner unit is the same and the rest of it is much the same shape. I don't have any detailed shots of it. Right now I have no idea where it might be. Not noticed it for a few years now so probably well buried in the pile somewhere. This image is as found and I don't think I have done anything to it either so probably looks the same today. ::Neil:: ::Neil::
Hi. Collector of AGM stuff. This lantern has definite AGM lineage. This may clarify some of the history. The following dates can help identify 1950s and early 1960s AGM/Kamplite/JC Higgins lanterns. American Gas Machine was bought by Queen Stove Works in 1950 and became a division of that company but retained the AGM name as American Gas Machine Division of Queen Stove Works. Queen Stove Works was bought by King-Seeley in 1957. The AGM name disappeared. Products were now marked Queen Products Division of King-Seeley. King-Seeley merged with Thermos in 1960. JC Higgins lanterns were under contract starting in about 1954. They are identical to the Kamplite brand. King-Seeley/Thermos wanted to release new designs for 1961, so the contract for the remaining run of the JC Higgins line was sold to Union Metal Works. After that contracted ended around 1961. They are marked Made in British Hong Kong. The tooling remained in Hong Kong. In 1965, Union Metal began producing them again under their own Unimet (green) and Camper (red) brands. The fount was slightly redesigned, as well as the pump handle knob, but the rest of it is almost all previous AGM. Also of note, the Kamplite style valve like this also made it into production in the new Thermos lanterns. I hope this helps clean up the mystery. DR
I collect any pressure lights and have done so for around 45 years but more importantly I collect paper and research the history of the companies. Been doing this for over 20 years now and there ain't much I don't know. So bought by QS in 1950. Really? AGM went bankrupt in 1938 so who owned the company from 1938 to 1950 when you say it was bought by Queen Stove? ::Neil::
Bankrupt maybe, but not necessarily out of business. They managed until the war and came through that in pretty good shape. Bankruptcy allows companies to reorganize and cancel or reduce debts.
