1963 Coleman MilSpec

This 1963 MilSpec was given to me by a neighbor and Only took me a few minutes to clean and get running.

 

Looks to be doing rather better than the 5 cp we got out of one of these at Newark a couple of years ago. ::Neil::

 

Yep, being the owner of the 5 (or was it 6?)cp version of this, I agree. Doron helped me fit the new vapouriser at the time, so I'm blaming him!

Time hasn't improved matters, either...

 

You should be proud to have a lantern of such distinction. It is a rare pressure lamp that can only stagger up to match a candle in power. OK 5 candles then. ::Neil::

 

Hi all: In U.S. military circles these lanterns are legendary for their "extreme" bright light. Many a Mash unit used these for surgery when electricity was not available. They were also used to light runways where no power was available. If one was only putting out 5cp it has major problems or operator error. Mike...

 

Hardly operator error since there was a field full of "experts" at the time including me. No this lamp just refused to run. I do know of one example currently in PA that will not run at all. This example is not a Coleman but we tried about four new generators and I had the fuel feed out and back but it just will not run. They were rated at around 200 cp I think and that is indeed a good bright light. Robust too because I once had occasion to throw one down the garden because of a burning fuel leak problem. I won't go into the reasons but once I had put the fire out and fettled the leak it worked perfectly. So yes there has to be an issue with the lamp. I can't remember what make it was now but David will know I guess being the proud owner of this unique lantern. ::Neil::

 

My humble guess is "SMP" (State Machine Products). Am I right David?

 

Not sure, Randy - it's in my storage unit at the moment and I haven't been there for ages. I seem to recall that it was Coleman, though.

Anyway, here are Neil and me with the lantern in question - Newark 2007:-


When a well-known Dutch collector saw this photo, he asked why there was a carrot inside the globe!

It actually is running in the photo, but obviously it isn't dazzling because the very bright sunlight is masking it's light output...

 

It's running with a Peerless 2C-HG mantle.

 

Somehow, I don't think the mantle's the problem with mine...

 

Did you try moving the plug from the auxiliary air tube to block the other hole? I also remember someone repairing their MilSpec by replacing the original gas tip with one from a 200A gen and then removing the plug completely....

 

Yes, the air-plug has been mentioned as a possible culprit but I've not got around to doing anything about it yet. The generator is brand-spanking new - it arrived the day before the pic was taken and was fitted just minutes beforehand. If it's not the air-plug or dead critters in the air intake, then I'd guess the fuel/air tube needs attention.

I think the lantern's in my storage unit and I'm going there over the weekend to seek something else, so I'll have a look. I may bump it to the front of the fettling queue - currently about 300 lamps in length...

 

I almost wish I had that many, I've only got about a little over 20... As it is I'm running out of room...

 

Not possible. I remember well having around 20 lamps and one truth I learnt a long time ago is the true collector just creates more room. In my case building two large sheds and filling the house. ::Neil::

 

In my case I still live with my parents.... If we could get rid of the 2 '70s era Volvos in the garage it would free up more room, but my insists on cleaning it out through the inside door instead of the big one on the outside...

 

Yea I can see how that might be a problem. Maybe the way forward here is to persuade She Who Must Be Obeyed that pressure table lamps are elegant and beautiful then you might be able to arrange for a light sprinkling of them around the living rooms. Course the real answer is a morgage and a 2 acre spread with a stable block. Stables are a great size and shape for lamps. A three loose box stable gives you three 12 ft by 12 ft square rooms about ten foot high or better. You then convert the tack room to a fuel store and lamp fettling room. There you go, sorted. ::Neil::

 

The 1963 Milspec was made by Thermos/King Seeley and it was the only year they had the contract.

 

Only part true. Yes Thermos made a milspec in '63 but so did Coleman.

After WW2 there were three years when there was more than one contract.
1963 Thermos and Coleman.
1967 Coleman and Autofab.
1979 Coleman and SMP.


::Neil::

 

Ok you got me. I'm never too old to learn something new.

 

Well you were right that '63 was the only year Thermos made a Milspec. Just happens there were two contracts that year. ::Neil::