most likely Coleman candidates: circa fall '61?

[working on it]

Though I haven't completed my TTT yet, nor have camped out in over thirty years, I wish to relive at least a part of my past by "roughing it" again. Part of my memories involves the hiss of a lantern in the camp at night, and the cooking of Spam and eggs in the morning, over a cookstove. Both were Colemans. As a new Boy Scout,I asked for camping gear for my birthday and Christmas in the fall of 1961. Along with BSA logo gear, I was gifted with a dual-mantle lantern and dual-burner stove. Both Coleman, green, and pump-up. My grandmother and grandad gave me both. !!!! Used them off and on for years, along with others I acquired, and then they were gone. Don't remember whether they were lent lost or stolen, or even the details of their parts #'s or models. All I know is that I'd like to find and acquire a single example of my first Colemans, from the dim past. I hinted to my friends/family this past fall that I'd like a lantern and stove for the camper I'm building (though ostensibly for my wife, but...), and received a LED lantern and a George Foreman grill (nostalgia must be a lost art). So now I'm asking you avid collectors what are the "most likely Coleman candidates: circa fall '61?" to fill my need? Probably medium priced, common models, available in stock in Dallas at a Sears or Montgomery Wards at that time. If I can obtain these two items, or close relatives of same, I promise not to compete for more. This will be the end of my territorial demands. (sound familiar?, haha). Seriously, two WILL do. I have a history of self-diagnosed OCD over most of my adult life, and have learned the lessons...I hope. I need to get them to incorporate them into my galley build (soon). So, if no likely suspects are named, I'll just have to get what Wally-world has on the shelf, sigh!

[DragonFire]

don't just settle for the modern stuff!! I remember camping with Coleman as a kid too..my Dad only had Coleman, and cooked only with cast iron. Tent camping only. I'm very sure our lanterns were 220..not sure what the stove was...2 burners but didn't seem huge, so I think 425. We had the metal Coleman table, too. Folded up like a suitcase. And I remember a stove stand. Ice chests were probably Coleman too. Um, yeah..they were green, so I guess they were!

I totally understand having that camping gear again. I remember the hiss of the lanterns..the bugs being attracted to them..trying to keep my eyes open at the campfire late at night while the adults talked..roasting marshmallows so they just caught on fire, and then blowing them out so they were charred on the outside and all puffy and gooey inside.

I remember exploring the trails..just the 3 of us kids, or cousins too if they came along. Throwing big pumice stones around at the Rogue River. We had a blast.

Look on eBay and check the different lanterns..search vintage Coleman lanterns and just look at what they have..and see if one looks like what you remember. There is also a sticky at the beginning of this section with a link to lantern dates and stove dates..so you can get an idea of what was common when. You may also have camped with 220 lanterns..maybe a different series than I did..we had 220f. Not sure when the 220e was out and the f was in.

Good luck in your search..you will find what you are looking for. And it's ok to collect more than those few pieces..there is more than enough Coleman for everyone! (Except Gold Bonds, and, well, I want some!!)

I'm sure the Coleman "Grues" will add a few words and help you out...we are always looking for more addicts..I mean collectors.

Hope your trailer is done soon!! Happy camping!

[Kevin A]

Your lantern was likely a 220E or a 228E if it had a bighat vent. The stove could have been a 413E or F (larger 2 burner), a 425B or C (smaller 2 burner)
Hope this helps...

[working on it]

Dragonfire and Kevin A- thanks for your responses. After examining many examples of lanterns and stoves, and data on a couple of Coleman collectors websites, I believe that the lantern (and a couple of later purchases, in the '70s) did not have a big hat. Assuming that the local stores did not have "old" stock on hand, back in '61, then my first lantern was a 220E. And my one and only cookstove was a small 425. Now that I know what to look out for, then someday I may find some. Until then, I still need the dimensions of the 425 stove, to build a niche into my galley for it. It would probably be preceded in that niche by a similarly sized propane unit, for my wife's use, if she gets to camp before or without me. After the build is 90% done, then I can scrape up enough cash to bid/buy/rebuild a 425 and a 220.

[CASHCOW]

I have 6 or 7 stove up in my attic one is a 425E and a 425B i can get up there this weekend and see what i do have
We will be coming to Loyd Park the last weekend in September or we can work something out if this could help you

[doug hodder]

A 425 of that vintage measures 17 1/2" x 12" x 5". I'd allow some extra. Doug

[Wolffarmer]

I just pulled out one of my 425C's. 17" wide, 11 inches deep without legs, figure 11 3/4 with legs, 4.5 inches high, with legs, 4 7/8 with legs. 6.5 inches high with legs in cooking position. If you are tight on space I don't see why the legs could not be left off. Just that there is no catch on the lid. My 425F is in the trailer. Pretty much the same size but does not have the legs, guess they decided they was an expensive unneeded item.

Randy

[working on it]

Thanks to you all for your interest. If I reserve a space in the galley 20" wide x 14" deep x 8" high, that should be enough, with some wiggle room left for a 425 series? I'd like the stove to be attached to a heat proof/oil resistant base (a detachable slide-out, if need be; an airbake cookie sheet on a set of drawer slides?) to lessen the chance of inside-the-galley flare ups. I'm hoping to be building the galley next month, after the paint is done (maybe 3 weeks?). I won't jinx myself by saying that I'll be ready (certainly not completed) for Loyd Park by September, but I'd like to be there (15 miles away). If not ready, then I intend to visit, and see what you other guys have done (in person, not by photo). Cashcow- keep me in mind...I'll see ya there.

[Wolffarmer]

That will give you plenty of room for any 425 Coleman. The 425C was made in 1961 63 and 64. Guess they didn't need any more in 62 so you could have had a 425C or a 425B. I think the B has the round pipe style of fuel tank. The C has the later one made from 2 pressed halves. I would say that for a scout they would have gotten you the 425 size stove, the 413 is a bunch bigger and the 3 burner 426 is a monster. And if the got you a double mantle lantern it would have been a 220E. The 228E is a big hat and is harder to pack for travel.

Randy