This model 247R, dated 8/64, was aquired from a family member, who is a retired CPR employee. The lantern exibits features which are the result of use and maintenance by the railway. The bail, ventilator ball nut, and globe rest wing nut are not from the manufacturer. The globe is a Red-lettered #550 replacement, made in England. The lantern has remained operational since it was brought from the CPR yards, and still contained fuel from the last servicing, over 3 decades ago. The bail, which has been suggested to be from a Bernzomatic propane lantern, has been cut to fit the 247R. After cleaning, lettering was visible stamped in 2 places on the bail. It reads "C OXWELD NO 1 HT PATENTED X". It would be interesting to know if Bernzomatic bails were stamped in this fashion, or if this bail represents another manufacturer. I have chosen to leave the non-Coleman parts intact at this time, as they represent the use, modifications, and servicing of the 247R by the actual CPR railway crews themselves. Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada
Weird looking thing - the top looks far too small compared with the fount. Or the other way around, maybe. So, please send it to me here for long-term evaluation purposes, and in due course, I'll let you know which way round it is...
My guess is that it was made from a welding rod. This is probably the name of the manufacturer and type of welding rod, that was stamped at even distances along the rod.
Nils I was the one that suggested Bernz,but now having heard of the writing it seems it could very likely be welding rod. I know I made more than one thing in my day from welding rod. Dan
Bob M has pointed out to me that the OXWELD name is connected with UNION CARBIDE, which manufactured Acetylene/Carbide railway lamps and lanterns for many years. I confirmed this last night, but as of yet, I have not identified the bail on any of the Oxweld railway lamps I've seen so far. The railway connection seems very likely at this point. The linear measurement of the bail rod exceeds the length of any welding rod I've ever seen, but the name OXWELD does have a sort of welding ring to it, eh? The thought that it might be hand-made from stock rod did cross my mind, but creases found on all the inside corners of the bail and the "spring" to it, strongly suggest purpose-made mass production. I'll continue to research the Oxweld lantern types, and post images of the lantern type when located. Best Regards - Chris
That "welding rod" premise could be valid. Not in the aspect of electric arc welding rod but perhaps GAS welding rod. That could have been in sticks as long as 3 ft. Depending on its carbon content it could have some "spring" to it. The Oxweld 1 HT shown here Oxweld gas welding rod comes in several diameters X 3ft. Enough to perhaps bend up a bail? Those skilled with a press break could do the nice sharp angles shown. Bob
My Uncle said he had worked first in the railway yard Tin Shop and then at the Blacksmith Shop, before retiring. The likelyhood of it being made up there is very possible - until the mention of Bernzomatic bails, I had simply assumed the bail was made up in this manner. This would also explain why the Oxweld lamps are so vastly different in design - without wire bails. Thanks Bob.
Next time I visit Jake I will have to ask him what he makes his bails from. I know of at least three lanterns me makes bails for. Dan
Hello Chris, I saw another one of these locally in Langley, but the owner couldn't answer my question, about how long its running time was, on a full fount of Kerosene(?) You don't happen to know, do you. Also how much liquid does the fount hold? Regards ThomasL
That fount will hold a short quart or two US pints. That is about one and a half real pints and in a lantern giving 300 cp you can expect around a 10 to 12 hour burn depending on how much pumping you do. ::Neil::
