Is this Canadian Coleman (3/26) an LQ327?

The Colar says "Coleman Quick Lite"


Cheers

Tony

 

I think its QL 327.

 

@Hanzo

That's partly why I asked: I'll have to check @Mackburner's Coleman 327 chronology. I was also wondering about the door in the baseplate (as distinct from having one in the mica chimney (globe).

Cheers

Tony

 

Just looking at the Terry Marsh site it seems that the frame lighting door and Mica chimney had to be present as Coleman was transitioning the lantern from an earlier model. I low balled a $50 ebay offer for a very minty 327 with a cool lighting door and when I didn't hear back from the seller looked at the auction and it had gone from 0 to north of $200. Neither I or the seller knew what the lantern was but I guess the collectors did.

 

I've started pulling this lantern apart: the trap-door in the baseplate is an aftermarket job; so the lantern is a straightforward Canadian 327.

Cheers

Tony

 

I've been steadily, and carefully, working on this lantern.

It has had a very rough life. My aim is to make it work properly, and repair it enough to be a "user" - I need a couple of gasoline lanterns when we go camping at a particular place where we can't carry kero,and can only obtain Shellite (=Coleman fuel).

So far so good!




A fair bit of crud being burnt off in the initial lighting.



Looking a bit better after 5 mins.





In the dark; no flash.




Cheers

Tony

 

Houston we have ignition!

 

A great fettle Tony. It will be good to see photos of the final version.

 

@shagratork

I'll finish the job this week.

It won't win any beauty contests.

Cheers

Tony

 

Now with the globe etc and mantles:



It's doing a bit of "hunting", but seems generally to be working well.

Cheers

Tony

 

Hi Tony,

That is definately an entrant into a beauty contest in my books!! Looking good

Jaco

 

Well fettled, Tony! Always good to see an old-timer ready to do duty again. Could you perhaps elaborate on why you can't carry kero in that camping area?

 

I don't think Tony is that advanced in years to warrant calling him an old timer...

 

I realised immediately after posting that it was a bit ambiguous, but I was hoping no-one would notice No flies on you, David
Tony, I'm sure you're still a spring chicken

Reminds me of celebrated Afrikaans author and poet CJ Langenhoven who was a member of the Cape parliament in colonial times. He made a statement in the house calling half the members donkeys and when called on to retract, did so by saying half the members were not donkeys.

 

@phaedrus42 & @David Shouksmith

I'm older than I think I am...

Cheers

Tony

 

Watch it or the moderator will split this thread!Nothing better than a lantern that works well and your not afraid of it getting damaged in the field! Congrats!

 

@phaedrus42

I forgot to say the reason why I need a couple of gasoline lanterns (and stoves):

There's a particular place I want to go to, to camp for a while and do some extensive day walks. Flying in by light aircraft means that I can't carry fuel, and the company that takes you there has only methylated spirits and Shellite (= Coleman fuel) at the arrival point.

Cheers

Tony

 

I thought you just needed an excuse to get another lantern!

 

@Lundo007

Excuse? Who needs an excuse?

Cheers

Tony

 

@David Shouksmith and @Lundo007

Here is the spirit lighter I made to assist in lighting this gasoline lantern.

It does take much of the potential drama out of the process because it makes sure all the gasoline is burning at once immediately on start up.






Cheers

Tony

 

Here are some fettling notes on this lantern.

As it came is up the top of this thread


1. The tank.

The tank dry and was very rusty (the bottom of the tank is steel - the rest brass). Both powdered rust and lumpy flakes fell out of the tank on shaking it.



While the tank was dry, I put a handful of steel ball bearing in and shook them until I could get no more rust out of the tank.

I then put about 250 mm of rust converter ("Rustbuster") in the tank, swirled it around many times and poured it out. I filters it through gauze and put it back in and did it again. The MSDS for "Rustbuster" is here:

http://www.bondall.com/wp-content/uploads/HXR67-RANEX-RUST-BUSTER.pdf


After emptying the "Rustbuster" from the tank, I let it dry for 48 hours, then rinsed the tank with kerosene.

I then filled the tank with kerosene and let it sit overnight to see if it had any leaks.

The last think I did before the last of the fettling, was to pressurise the tank and leave it sit overnight to check whether there were any leaks under pressure. There were none.


2. The globe (chimney) cage;

It was very rusty.




I again used the "Rustbuster" rust converter to treat the rust.

I painted it with Rustbuster and left it overnight.






High temperature "aluminium" paint was applied directly to the treated cage.



3. The hood (vent).

The top cap on the (two piece) brass hood was damaged and worn.




I cut a pice of 1mm think brass to patch the hole and brazed it into place, using the 40% silver brazing rod to fill the voids:



Ready for the Mapp torch.


As rough finished.


Before drilling.


No beauty but functional.



4. The filler cap and check valve.




The filler cap and check valve were soaked overnight in acetone, then again overnight in penetrating oil. The check valve works fine, now.


5. The filler cap washer is the same size as a Tilley X246 control cock washer. I used some @Trojandog's graphite sheet to repack the packing nut on the control spindle. I had to use thin wire and carburettor cleaner to clear the fuel pick up.




Everything else was cosmetic, really. The nickel is gone from the hood; the tank is blotchy... but the think now works!


Cheers

Tony

 

This lantern is in the Reference Gallery here:

Coleman LQ 327 (Canada, 3/26)

Cheers

Tony

 

This has been an interesting post to follow, thanks and congratulations on getting it going

 

Rough ones have there own panache...battle scars and a story to tell.the imperfections and your work make it uniquely yours.one of a kind!I'm diggin it!

 

Hi Tony Did find that in Aust ? I've only ever found US 327 here and most are pre 1925 ( undated ) Does your fount say made in Canada on the fount ?
Cheers Andrew

 

@Akeepsake

This one is definitely Canadian-made (tank and burner assembly) 3/26.

See here:

Coleman LQ 327 (Canada, 3/26)

It was bought in Melbourne. Given its state of hard wear and tear, I don't think it was a collector's import.

I have a bunch of advertising material now that shows that Coleman Quick-lite Co. of Australia was importing both US and Canadian-made Coleman gear in the 1920s and 30s.

Cheers

Tony

 

An enjoyable story and a nice fettle, well done,

Mine is also a 3/26 but supplied by Boosey & Co, London.

 

It's working well!

 

Hi Tony I have found advertising dating to early twenties for US Quicklites being sold in Australia From what I have found Canada exported to Aust from the early 30s as I've found a few here dating from 1933 through till the mid 40s but sparse in wartime

 

@Akeepsake

I think, based on advertisements and Australian-found lanterns, that the Coleman Quicklite Company of Australia was importing both US and Canadian Coleman products in the late 1920s (at least, if not earlier).

I am working through a collection of newspaper clippings at the moment and will, in a couple of weeks, update my post on Coleman in Australia and add references for the information.

Cheers

Tony