I have a few questions regarding this US Forest Service Coleman, if anyone were kind enough to help... I have seen only a few pictures of these, but most pictures show a mica globe. A few show this Pyrex globe, which does have faded green Coleman type on one side, but I suspect it is a replacement. (perhaps the pictures I have seen with this globe are pictures of this very lamp!) There is not as much printed material to review of USFS Colemans. Also, the "wing" nut on top should be a knurled nut, correct?
I believe you are correct on both points. A very nice example! thank you for posting it. You are certainly in the right place for your inquiries! Welcome to the forum and enjoy your find! Best Regards, Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada
Quite right. These are Quick-Lite lanterns and you need the mica with a door for access to light and use the pricker. An R55 inside a glass is of little use because you can't operate it whilst the lantern is running. Nice lantern and one of the Coleman "Classics" I have not managed to acquire yet. Mind you that is a kinda long list. ::Neil::
GOOD POINT (...about the inaccessible generator)! I got so wrapped up in the research, I didn't think about it with simple, potent logic.
1935? I finally flipped the lamp over today and checked the date stamp. It reads "5 2". Unless the numbers are backwards, the commonly accepted date range of 1932-1934 for a USFS Coleman needs to be extended to include 1935.
Work????? How can it not work? It's a Coleman Quick-Lite and they always do. Best lamp ever made and about the easiest to fettle and run. Fettling is just :- Fit new R55. Clean it, fill it, add mantles, pump it and light it ::Neil::
I put this lamp on display with a few other old lanterns in our outdoor store in Michigan. My wife insisted I put a price on it, as that is the business we are in, so I chose an absurdly high price so that I could keep it on the wall behind the counter. Time passed, and I didn't keep track of the going rate on these, and one day, someone came in and bought it! I guess I'm back on the hunt now.
You could offer the spoils of your hunt in the classifieds section here. Preferably at absurdly reasonable prices, though
