Here is the first in a line of very fine lanterns. The 242 differs little from its later breathrin. Except for its pump which lacks the air stem stile pump, and has an nrv simaler to those found in lanterns from across the pond. The vent lacks a ball nut, and instead has a locating stud and uses the bail to hold it in place. For their size these are powerful little lanterns. The globe in this one is a reproduction, but at least shows what this lantern should have apeared like in 1930. Rick
I Have a feeling you are right about the date being on the bottom of the tank. However there are a lot of these first model 242s out there with no date apparent. This may be from an excessive amount of solder left on the bottom of the tank filling in the stamped numbers. I think I was able to make out 1-12 which would be Dec 1931. However its not clear enough to call it for sure. There are some other 242s made not made here in the states, that bare there date make under the sunrise logo. Rick
A 242 can't have a 1947 date. They were made in the early 1930s and replaced by model 242A in 1935.I think they were first made new for the 1932 season so dates in the fall of '31 would be reasonable to expect. ::Neil::
mine are the B-C models and if im correct on the bottom the one digit is a 8 the other is a 3 on the C model i stand corrected as neil is correct ;
Yes I know I can be a bit pedantic at times but with all Coleman lanterns the letter detail is important because of the extended time range they sometimes cover. In this case an old pre 1936 242 is a great deal harder to find than the B and C varieties. ::Neil::
I found a Coleman 242 lantern with no letter there's a 5 on the bottom and 8 on the other side is there anything you can tell me about it ?
5 - 8 is August 1935. Right in the period the model 242 was being sold. They are harder to find than the later variations mainly because they are older I suspect. They are, if memory serves, the first single mantle gasoline Coleman. Nice find. ::Neil::
