J C Higgins Lantern

Greetings all,

Here is a J C Higgins model 388.74001 lantern. the globe base rest is clearly marked "J C HIGGINS" "MODEL 388.74001" "SEARS ROEBUCK AND CO. U.S.A." "SIMPSON-SEARS, LTD." "MADE IN BRITISH HONG KONG". This Lantern operates properly, and is quite possibly the loudest gas pressure object in my collection! Very loud.

Would anyone might know the years of production for this particular model of lantern?

It is presently fitted with a non-original, non-Coleman globe, which is faintly stenciled in block letters "HEAT RESISTING". It exibits linear flaws (lines of bubbles) in the glass which run at angles to the circumfrence of the globe, which may indicate a less than quality production run.

Has anybody ever seen such a globe before? What company would have manufactured them and in what years?

For now, the globe and lantern seem to get along nicely together, so I won't separate them yet.




Cheers,

Chris W - Winnipeg Canada

 

Here is a close-up of the globe in question. It was found by itself at a flea market.

Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada

 

I have no ideas about he globe but the lantern is made by Union Metal Works in HK. These are confusing as some Unimet product like this are very like AGM lamps. Date is a hard call. Probably 1950s at a guess. ::Neil::

 

Thank you Neil. Might you have an explanation as to why this post was moved? is the subject inapropriate for that particular forum?

Cheers,

Chris

 

I reported it to Admin as being more suitable here. Hope that helps...

 

Oh, I see.

Thank you - I've only just arrived as a new forum member, and I imagine the site is much larger & more complex than I am aware of at the present time. It's a priviledge to communicate with the pressure lamp community - to learn and to share. I'm grateful to have found all of you & hope that my small contributions will be of interest or help.

Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada

 

Welcome to the forum - we are new ourselves as we have only been open to the global community for a month! All contributions are welcome & I believe yours is only the 2nd Higgins posted. The question aside, it was a good image & not overly represented here as a model so it was moved to the Reference Gallery where we have a reference structure rather than leave it to get buried by future general lamp questions in the Lamp Q&A forum - & of course, as you have seen, we can answer questions in this section too.

 

Ah, its all good then.

Cheers,

Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada

 

Yes - all good.

Reporting a post isn't necessarily meant to be a bad thing - it's just the easiest way to bring something to the attention of the Mod/Admin team and the easiest way for them to get back to the post in question without undue searching.

Reporting a post is a facility open to all members - you click on the '!' button at the bottom right of the post. You might want to do that for a wide range of reasons.

Your lantern is in better condition than mine so it needed to go in the reference section where it can be more easily found. It's also a good thing to have images of several examples of the same model of lantern where they can be easily compared. That way, subtle changes which take place during a model's production run are more easily noticed and that can help with dating etc.

Cheers...

 

Hello Chris, in answer to your question to the HEAT RESISTING globe, My 1950's Kooklite cooking/lantern came farm fresh with the same globe as your's. It was the first time I have encountered a bulge globe like this. As far as I know this was a factory globe for the AGM KING SEELEY brand lanterns. I hope this helps and if it fits who's going to know, but you...campinut...

 

Greetings Campinut,

Thank you for your reply. Since this post was started, I have been examining lanterns for sale on Ebay. the practice has helped me over the last few years to identify the various models and manufacturers for a wide range of lamps and lanterns. About 2 weeks ago, I saw a J C Higgins Model 710.74011 up for sale. This model sported a larger, straight-sided globe. the globe was marked in White lettering "HEAT RESISTING MADE IN USA". Coincidence? I really have no idea, but I sure did a double take on that one! I am glad you have a pristine example of this globe, attached to its rightful lantern. Sometimes you never know what you will see for sale on ebay.

Cheers,
Chris W - Winnipeg, Canada

 

Here are images taken prior to restoration. I hope that these close-ups can be of benifit to the forum menbers for identification. Aside from the Coleman globe that was on the lantern when it was purchased, all of the lantern is original, with no obvious signs of prior maintenance.

With Best Regards,
Chris W - Pressure Lantern Enthusiast,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

 

I now have a date range for these. First issued in Fall 1953 and last Fall 1961. Another Sears lamp with a model number difference. In the catalogues this is model 7400 but the lamps are clearly marked 74001. ::Neil::

 

These were late in the run. Likely 1960-1961.
Tooling did eventually show up again in Unimet lanterns. AGM products lived on.

 

Oh, and just to be clear, this is the correct globe for this lantern.
It was not made by Coleman.
This is the rebranded Kamplite LRL-21 that was sold by Sears for their JC Higgins line.

 

I don't understand.


Kyle.

 

I hope you don't mind, but I think I'll take the advice of folks with years of actual experience, and that can back up their opinions with real documentation....

Kyle.

What a dissapointment for the gpa community....

 

Hello all. My brother just found one of these jc higgins 388.74001 lanterns. Can anyone tell me what would be a replacement globe for this unit. Seems to work well. Thank you in advance

 

Hiya Ron,

Ya got lucky then, it must be because of crimbo . . . . . . . . but the J.C. Higgins you need the new globe for (not dependant on years of manufacture & which part of the world it was made, the US or Asia) can be sourced in the 'here & now', by shopping for it within ebay UK.

There's a seller from S.Korea turning them out, I.D (kkn4602) I found them very presentable & sturdy & though it's a long haul for the wait, the cost of & shipping, wasn't that disagreeable.
Bang in a search for Tilley Globes & you should be able to find his/ her shop ! Also selling windscreen novelty blinds, ect, pooch's & cats, ect . . . . ya should find it easily.

The first J.C.Higg's I bought, arrived with a completely blank globe, I ain't knowledgeable enough to say it is its own factory original,it was just great to get it all in one piece & without any scorch marks. It'll take you longer (in the UK) to find the stipulated "Heat Resistant, Made in USA" varieties

Hope's ya both enjoy getting it sorted & more ship shape, and remember to post a snap or two, when all's well & completed !!

My first :-



(A groovy little troubadour, unsurpassed by the gathering hordes, he he he) .

Jon

 

I was rummaging through a box in the basement of an antique shop and found this bin of lanterns. Mostly hurricane lamps and found this lantern. I’m so happy with this find. It’s in great shape,

 

A fine restoration project!

 

I have a 388.74001 Higgins lantern. This is the globe that came on mine. View attachment 70966 View attachment 70966

 

Very desirable these.
Both the J.C.Higgins and Sears don't seem to turn up at all in my area.

 

This just showed up today unexpectedly

 

@Chris1256

When you’ve got this lantern sorted it would be good to post detailed photos in a separate thread in the Reference Gallery.

Cheers

Tony

 

@Tony Press

ok I’ll keep that in mind. There are a few here that could use the elbow grease and a photo shoot.. I had never heard of this lantern before it showed up today.. until now I’ve only had the Coleman’s.. but am certainly intrigued by the amount of volume it should apparently have...

Chris