I had no idea which model it was, and my few lamps are mostly Tilley & Bialaddin. I did have a petrol twin mantle Coleman given me back in the eighties, but moved it on due to the fuel type (more familiar with paraffin). But a visit to Church Stretton antique centre today saw me resolute to keep the wallet closed and just look. Didn't work. Plenty of wickie stuff, a few 246B's with silly price tags, but there was this little Coleman sitting on a table leaning to one side due to the support tubes bent a little, stained and handle missing. I picked it up and took a look. Nah - I don't need another lamp. Put it back. Went off and had tea & scones. Meandered back to finish off the upper floors, and ended up looking at the Coleman again. This time I sat down and took the top off. Pump leather is good, though the NRV is jammed. No mantle (of course), and the generator and supports coated in a varnish of tar. Clearly this has not been used correctly. The glass is in tact, but no markings there, just the Coleman Sunshine of the Night, made in Canada, and 3 - 49 date stamp. The price tag said £18. So I took it (and the wooden dolly mallet) to the cash desk and asked if he could do something on the price. "Not much. I could knock a pound off" "Is that all?" "'Fraid so". So it was £17. Sat in the car and bent the support tubes straight, and felt fairly pleased. Back home I looked up on the reference gallery to see what I'd got - a 241A! Nice one. I'll knock up a handle from some galvy fence wire, and set to with a clean up of tubes and nrv. Should be good. Just one question for the experts: It states in the description in the gallery there is no shut off valve for the lamp, so what's the little bent wire lever for?
Just a pricker control in all likelihood - I'll have to check my lantern to be absolutely sure. I think that may be whats called a 'bossing' mallet. The old man had one and several others like it for when he was doing lead flashing...
Right on both counts David. The Coleman instructions describe it as 'gas tip cleaning lever'. And the mallet will come in handy on soft metals. Off for a fettle.
Thanks Jeff. It's coming apart quite easily, nicely made too. Will need an nrv tit & mantle. Generator off next.
Fettling's gone quite well, and the lack of carbon build up, and the thin layer of tar varnish makes me wonder if someone hasn't tried to run this on white spirit! Some scale removed from inside the plated tank (shame they didn't use brass), and a few seals on order from Fettlebox - but what does the team consider the best mantle and where to obtain one? Shouldn't be a problem, but nothing coming up on the radar in the UK apart from modern stuff - or will they do - and which one?
Ahaa! Looks like the mantle could be a Coleman 99, or the Peerless equivalent (preferred by some) of 22A - or is it 2C HG? The 241A is rated 250cp. Anyone suggest a source?
Coleman 99 should be too big for this one. Original was probably a #21 at a guess. These are 250 cp lanterns so any single tie 200-300cp mantle will work just fine. I do rather like these neat looking and reliable lamps. They seem to turn up in the UK often enough to be sure they had to be sold here for a while. ::Neil::
I can't remember which mantle I put on mine but I'd be amazed if it was anything other than a No. 21 (or 21A)...
OK, all parts arrived, nrv pip and washers from Fettlebox and prime to light. Didn't think much of the mantle form, really weird, and it holed in four places. But she fired up very easy. After cooling off, I could see the mantle was most unhappy. So, hoover that one off, and try again. This time rather than let the priming fuel burn the mantle off, I lit it with glass and cap off. Big difference! Still not a good sock shape, but much better. Primed again with my syringe and hooked tube, lit and once the gas began to flow, she plopped into life again and formed up well. This is a lovely little lamp! Only drawbacks might be the small fuel filler hole, and the need to be careful with the introduction of priming fuel via tube to avoid damaging the mantle. Loving it! It doesn't hiss as much as the Tilley & Bialaddin either. I also noticed the name Coleman etched into the glass for the first time, hidden in filth on the first look. Running of heating oil. The bail is just a piece of fencing wire, not as thick as original. I put a piece of galvy wire into the end of the tube to keep the bend - A Toast!
Hi the 241's,2's and 9's which I have are quieter than some of my others. Your 241A is looking good. Andrew
Yes, I tend now to form my mantles with a good blast using full tank pressure. That means you have to be confident the lantern is as near to working temperature as possible so I always give them a double prime first time with a new mantle. It's always worked - so far, anyway! Lord, you like your tea strong - I'm surprised the spoon isn't standing up in the mug! I could do with the LNER version...
That's a cup of Redbush. Honey on the toast, but I do like a bit of Vegemite. The caff at Watford Junction Station used to serve up tea that resembled used brake fluid. You only took one sip . . . never again.
Redbush tea is indigenous to South Africa and is called Rooibos Tea here. It is exported all over the world and is reputed to have many health benefits. It is also my preferred tea.
Indeed, mine too. In fact, 'normal' tea tastes bitter now. We get 'Tick-Tock' brand of possible, but will settle for Tetley's version. Quite like the Rooibos Vanilla Chai too. http://www.undergroundhealth.com/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-rooibos-tea/
