1943 American

[Alan and Lianna]

Does anyone have any experience with one of the these stoves? I picked it up at the flea market last weekend.

[Justin & Katy]

Yeah, it's Coleman 520 Mil Spec. VERY, VERY nice find! What do you need to know about it?

[Alan and Lianna]

Well, Justin I don't believe it is a coleman. It is marked American 1943.
I am not sure that we met, but we met Mike and Brenda last year at Joe Poole lake and I have been watching your build, glad to see you included a room for Mike.

Alan

[doug hodder]

I don't know for sure, but American Gas Machine...aka AGM...used to manufacture for the military as well. It could be one of them if it's marked American. AGM military items had a different color green which this looks like, than a Coleman which was more olive drab. Either way...it's a nice find! Doug

[rainjer]

Here is the AMG version


This is the American Gas Machine version of the Coleman Model 520
military pocket stove.
The aluminum pots/stove containers are labeled CM Mfg. Co.
The stove is dated 1945.


Here is the Coleman.



Coleman made these two Model 520 stoves for the military in WWII.
The stove on the left and covered (right image)
was one of perhaps only 1000 made in 1941
and has a nickel plated brass fount and brass fittings.
The 520 stove in the middle has a steel fount and fittings
and little brass; it is dated 1942.


Base on the tank color it looks like a Coleman but based on the labels on the upper part it looks like a AMG.

Where does it say American 1943?

Jeremy

[Alan and Lianna]

It is stamped into the green metal about half way up. The pot looks to be the same as the american you pictured, but is heavier than I would think aluminum would be? It has the same protrusion, but is missing the other interlocking half. Are these worth restoring?

Alan

[doug hodder]

I guess that's why you can't use the words "always" and "never" when working with any of this stuff. Just when you think you've learned something...it changes. Doug

[starleen2]

. . . . . Are these worth restoring?
Alan

The quick answer is: NO. Just send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly.

Long Answer: That depends on you - I usually restore old coleman lanterns just for the fun of it - despite it's "collectors" value. Something definitely made in 1943 that is in usable condition may need a little sprucing up - look around your home - how many things do you have that are made in 1943?

[rainjer]

It is stamped into the green metal about half way up. The pot looks to be the same as the american you pictured, but is heavier than I would think aluminum would be? It has the same protrusion, but is missing the other interlocking half. Are these worth restoring?

Alan

That is a tough question. Yes they are worth restoring but that may be a hard on to do. I not sure how hard it will be to find parts if needed and you will need to be super careful on the white labels.

You may want t go join the Coleman forum and ask some question before you do anything. http://oldtownyucca.websitetoolbox.com/

Jeremy

[Justin & Katy]

Well, Justin I don't believe it is a coleman. It is marked American 1943.
I am not sure that we met, but we met Mike and Brenda last year at Joe Poole lake and I have been watching your build, glad to see you included a room for Mike.

Alan

You very well could be right. What does the valve wheel look like? If it's a wheel that looks similar to a five pointed star, then you're right, it is AGM. Guess i should have asked about that first.

Thanks for checking out the build. I think it's going to be done in about a month or so!

[Alan and Lianna]

Well, there is the five pointed start you were talking about.


Alan

[Justin & Katy]

Bingo! AGM. Those are really cool stoves. Coleman made a civilian model that was similar to the ones they made for the military. One of the cool things about the mil specs is that they were made to run on just about anything. You'll notice that there's a preheater cup on them. You wouldn't need that for gasoline but if you only had kerosene at your disposal in the field, you would need a preheater. They put a lot of thought into them.

[TwilightLane]

I was on a long canoe trip and one guy had one of these. It was a great stove. He got it from his dad. Said there were spare parts squirreled away all over the thing. It was a solid stove.