I saw this one on the eBay and had to buy it because it represents the last or near last Australian made Coleman lantern (as far as I can tell) - I haven't uncovered a later date stamping than 12/60 on an Australian Coleman. The funny thing was it was advertised as 10/60 and it wasn't until it arrived that I realised it was 12/60. It came in an original box with some accessories. Note the locking nut for the generator (it is normal thread, not left-hand thread). Now there is something interesting about the baseplate. Normally an Aussie 249 had a manufactured recessed dimple in the baseplate to allow the special shaped nut to lock the baseplate and frame in place (see this example, 16th photo down : Coleman 249 Scout, 1957, Made in Australia The baseplate on this lantern was once flat and has had a concave shape made after manufacture. The hole for the generator may also have been enlarged after manufacture. I'm wondering whether this might not be from an Aussie Coleman 242, and made to fit a 249 as Coleman used up the last of its stock before closing down production in Australia. Note, too, the 5 small dimples in the baseplate to fit the support collar in the correct position. I've not seen these on any of my other Colemans. An Australian made funnel. If members could check through their 1960 Aussie Coleman 249s and 242s to see what their baseplates look like, I would appreciate it. [More photos to come]. Cheers Tony
The green plastic spirit bottle that came with the lantern is very similar to the current Austramax spirit bottle (they are excellent!). The instruction leaflet was printed in Canada by Coleman, Canada and is dated 1958. It was a pretty easy fettle. I replaced the generator with a cleaned up old one (and now have the one that was on it soaking in acetone). I also had to add some graphite packing to the control spindle/packing nut. Testing. Fitted with a "Shields" mantle and up and running. Cheers Tony
Tony, you were very lucky to find such a good-looking and complete set. The Colex globe lettering still looks new! This is one for the books.
Any trick to the locking nut on the generator? I cannot budge it, even after soaking in kroil and heating it up.
Be careful when loosening the jamb nut that you do not bend the top of the fount. Best to clamp the valve body.
Yes, unfortunately I've already bent the top of the fount. No holes produced though when moving the valve back to vertical. I'll remove the valve and keep working at it. Old Coleman Parts has a reproduction generator nut...worse comes to worse I'll cut it off. Thanks everyone
Thanks for sharing this, Tony. An excellent photographic tour! Articles like this, make my lantern addiction get out of control! I cannot have a "day closure coffee" in the evening, without burning "an optimized and clean" lantern, enjoying the "hiss therapy".
Nice lantern!! It looks like the NRV of 249 is very difficult to find... Does anyone know if there is any compartiable valve can be used on Coleman 249 please? Thank you
Very nice find, Tony. It looks and is working great after the fettle. 1960 might not seem too old but even that, if we think about it, that was a long time ago. 65 years had passed since they shut down production in Australia.
@wwhcfy Old Coleman Parts The 249 and the 242 use the same check valve. Old Coleman Parts > Lanterns > Check Valve With Stem - C001
