Is this a BX or a C?

Is there a way to be absolutely certain if this is a Coleman BX or a C?

I’ve been advised that 11/43 was the last BX? This one is a 4/4

 

You have a 220BX. The BX was a military lantern and is marked in the base plate with U.S. 220C does not have the US stamp. ::Neil::

 

Thank you very much

 

FWIW, here's a US stamped 220C:




Note the fount sides are brass, while the POs are steel, hence a BX. Mine is probably a case of Coleman using old parts again.

A magnet is your friend for identifying a 220BX (no 228BX was made). IIRC, the only brass parts are the valve body and mixing chamber. Even the original gen and direction disk were steel.

 

Interesting. The bible says that the C was not marked as US. A steel tank side is perhaps a better ID though. ::Neil::

 

@Hippie

What do you mean by “... while the POs are steel...”. I’m lost with the abbreviation.

@Haggis

Which parts of your tank are steel?

Cheers

Tony

 

Oops, sorry. I meant OPs, for Original Poster's.

The entire fount, and almost the entire lantern, of a 220BX is steel due to wartime metal shortages/priorities. Even the otherwise aluminum direction disk is steel--how many aluminum DDs did it take to make a B17?

 

Gotcha - “OP’s”. I was wondering what part of the lantern POs were...

Cheers

Tony

 

The 4/4 lantern in the photos definitely has a steel font. A magnet delights in sticking to it.

@Tony Press

 

A magnet will stick to the burner tubes and mixing chamber... and the directional disk

 

Thanks for the information about the steel components of your 4/4 220.

Tony

@Mackburner

 

Thank all of you for your time and help so far in solving this riddle.

I really do appreciate it...

 

Here are some photos with magnets stuck where I might expect to find brass...

 

IIRC, my 8/'45 above has a brass mixing chamber. I'll have to check it tonight.

Is your fuel cap steel, too?

How well does the cleaning lever work on yours? It's been a major problem with mine. It seems a steel shaft riding in steel bushings is not the best way to go.

 

@Hippie
The fuel cap is brass, so is the generator, and there is replacement nut to hold the vent in place. These though are often changed or lost and then replaced. (The generator nut is steel.)

The cleaning lever works well, and the pump still works.

Judging by the condition of the mantles, I suspect this lantern was used in recent times.