Hello all, I have just received this absolutely gorgeous little 991, I’m a bit surprised as to how small it is; it’s good for limited shelf space. I’m pretty sure the mica is not original to the lamp but it fits nicely and will work. I know it’s an earlier production by the valve knob; but I’m a bit rusty on Primus dating. As fate would have it it’s either 9 Z or Z 6. All of the vents that I see in the gallery are porcelain; this one shows no signs at all. I believe they were 250 cp so no problem with mantles for this one.
Just so you know, the number is a 6. As Henry said, we don't really know what the number means. The 991 was available with mica, but all the ones I have seen had full length panels. This one is probably a replacement. The nickel plated brass hood was an option and it is not seen very often. Both the 991 and 1020 had this option but they are fairly scarce.
cool find! I recently renovated a 991 and would almost sell a kidney for a brass hat. They are not common.
Thank you Nils. The mica appears to fit the 200 and 242 family of Coleman lanterns; so if not correct then at least as old. The cleaning rod, needle and nipple are all missing; I think that someone rolled it all the way up while disassembling it and they were lost through time. That is probably why it looks like it has sat on a shelf for a very long time. I have a nipple and needles coming from S Korea and will try the lamp with those. I’ve had pretty good luck at making a functional cleaning rod before, this is the gear type so it will be a nice challenge.
