I have a 1919/1920 QL and have some questions: 1) The lantern is green but appears to be brass underneath. Did Coleman paint these at that time or could it just be that tarnished? 2) The lantern does not have a globe but instead has a solid metal shaped "can" instead of a globe and has a sliding piece of tin that covers the hole to light the lantern. Since metal can appears to be factory made with rolled edges on all sides and even a rolled edge on the hole to light it, I'm wondering if Coleman ever sold this model as a heater instead of a lantern? NOTE: The lantern also has a wire hanging hook fastened to the carrying handle that appears to be factory made/installed. Any advice is appreciated! Attached are some photos including the shield (in lieu of a globe), the sliding cover, and a photo showing the hanging hook on the bale. Do you think this lantern is a rare model? There are no dents and since the top and bottom are brass, I would think it could be cleaned and polished to look something like this one.
pictures would help, but I don't think any quicklites were painted from factory. I would like to see the heater attachment. sounds interesting. there were many mods done on these lights to personalize them to each user. painting was common to preserve them. I have never seen a factory hook on a bale.
Merged the later post containing the pictures with the initial post, and split entire topic to a thread of its own.
that's a new one on me. I have never seen a heater drum like that, if its really made for that purpose. The color of the fount is just grungy nickel plating I think. some warm vinegar with some 0000 steel wool will take that off and reveal the shine rubbed lightly. not a common lantern, but certainly not rare in this configuration. if it has a 1919 date on the airstem its made after that to maybe 1920-21.
Not sure where But have seen photo's of a similar lamp (found it ! look at coleman 327 in Lamp Ref Gallery)
I agree with Dwillie It’s a late Air-O-Lantern and someone has added the drum to use it as a heater . These originally had a mica chimney with a lighting door Well worth restoring You’ll be amazed how it comes up !
These Quick-Lite lanterns were always nickel plated from new EXCEPT for the ones sold in France which were painted gold over the brass. I am not aware of a painted example found anywhere else. I don't know that Coleman sold a heater drum conversion for their lanterns. It may have been purpose made for another make of lamp but I have doubts. I suspect a home made job here. You have to remember that some folk are quite capable of making professional looking pieces in home workshops and some end users have facilities and expertise at their work to make things like this. ::Neil::
I seem to remember seeing a photo of a similar lamp to that pictured and described as a projector lamp it had an arrangement and lens (possibly for 35mm) film in front to wind the film
