Got Frankenlantern Lit - Pictures for proof!

[Alfred]

(Addendum: Go to last page for most recent post - Got it lit).

Hey gang,

Surfing EBay late last night (I know better than to do this). I buy too much stuff in the middle of the night off Ebay (Grin) and Amazon.com, too for that matter. This is a side-effect of the intermittent insomnia that occurs when one works the overnight shift, then tries to switch to a diurnal schedule on days off with family...

Regardless, came across this 1951 228f lantern for sale in tandem with an Avon Coleman Lantern knick-knack. I didn't bid on it, and went to bed. Then got back up out of bed later and bid on it. So this afternoon, I am the only bidder and lucky winner!



I don't know if I got a good deal or paid full retail, but I liked the look of the lantern. I don't collect Avon at all, but the Coleman Lantern thing intrigued me. Got the lot of 2 for $9.99 and $16/S&H for USPS Priority.

Anybody tell me anything interesting about this model Coleman Lantern? I don't know much about 'em.

AL in Asheville

[Alleged User]

I like those little Coleman perfume bottles from Avon. They're pretty easy to find, and would look neat in a TD. Neat find.

[doug hodder]

Is there still nickle on the tank? It kinda looks like someone polished it down to the brass. Parts are easily available for it and should be a great operating lantern. Doug

[Alfred]

Is there still nickle on the tank? It kinda looks like someone polished it down to the brass. Parts are easily available for it and should be a great operating lantern. Doug

Hey Doug and all,

If its supposed to be nickel then it does appear to have been polished off. Description also said it had a couple of dings. That's probably why no one else bid on it, I am thinking...

Anyway, I'm not a collector (yet - Although I think I could become one). One of the things I really like about the Coleman stuff is that it is built to endure, and they are usually repairable (sort of the opposite of planned obsolescence). Friendly folks at the Coleman Outlet in Myrtle Beach helped me fix my other lantern right there in their store, not too long ago.

The other plus, to which I suspect other enthusiasts will relate, is there is something intangible but very fun and satisfying about going through the ritual of fueling them, pumping them up, lighting them off. And I much prefer the warm, comfortable, friendly and inviting glow of a Coleman lantern versus an electric light.

Anyway, if nothing else, it was a practical purchase, I thought it would be neat to have another lantern for camping.

The Avon knick-Knack kind of intrigued me, thought it might perhaps make a nice accent for inside the camper.

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

Here are more pictures, all from the seller. Note the bottom is clearly stamped '51, but when I went to the Coleman collector's site, it looks like they didn't make the 228f in 1951(?)



Lid has a couple of spots on it, I'm not too worried about that...



As per Doug's observation, looks like the nickel is gone...







A little late for this question, but please tell me this uses Coleman fuel and not Kerosene (My goal was to have two Coleman fuel lanterns and retire the propane lantern, so I only have to bring along one type of fuel).

Here's another look at the Avon Doo-Dad...



AL in Asheville

[doug hodder]

Al...That has a later model frame rest on it for the vintage of the tank. In 51 it would have been made in steel or stainless, that one is aluminum, at least that's what I have on my 53's. It should have the X pattern for venting on it. Not a big deal, just goes to show you how parts are interchangeable on them all. It does make it difficult to date a lantern when things are swapped around though and there are lots of people that built them out of parts. Based on the age of the tank...it's a 228D with a 228F rest.

Please don't take this the wrong way...but that could be why no one was bidding on it, that and no nickel on it, but I could be wrong. At any rate, it should work well for you, I think I'd just put a really high polish on the tank and go with it. Watch the frame on it. It appears that they buffed that up as well, and I'd bet the cadmium plating is gone. It will rust if that's the case. I usually spray them with high temp aluminum paint. Doug

PS....it will run on Coleman fuel

[Alfred]

Hey Doug!

So what I hear you saying is I got a unique/one of kind, rare-brass-bottomed-instead-of-nickel-plated, Coleman fuel lantern whose different array of parts clearly demonstrate that it's meticulous manufacture literally took years...

I appreciate the objective feedback. This is how I learn about these things. I have many faults, but thank goodness being thin-skinned ain't one of them...(grin). What's the old saying, 'You pays your money, you takes your chances'. I find that is true a lot with Ebay, but I still enjoy it, never got burned too bad...

Where do I get the high-temp aluminum paint?

Anyway, if it's usable, it will fit right in with the rest of my pawn-shop/garage-sale gear, and it didn't hurt the wallet too much.

AL in Asheville

[starleen2]

Neat Hi hat you got there - yes you can use Coleman fuel in em' and the work just fine. I have a 242 C that was originally had a painted brass fount - but i like the brass better - so I polished it and love it. I wouldn't worry too much about the top if it's gonna be a burner and not a shelf queen. BTW - the high heat aluminum paint can be found at most auto parts store - works real well.

[doug hodder]

Hey Doug!

So what I hear you saying is I got a unique/one of kind, rare-brass-bottomed-instead-of-nickel-plated, Coleman fuel lantern whose different array of parts clearly demonstrate that it's meticulous manufacture literally took years...
AL in Asheville

Well, that's one way of putting it...they're nicknamed a "Frankenlantern" Doug

[Zollinger]

Al, If you don't tell anyone that it's a cobbled together monster.... not many people will guess. Only us nuts that have more lanterns than we could use in a lifetime would figure that out. Always room for just one more. The ONLY Coleman product that I have that sucks is the collector match tins I bought this spring. Matches are crap, took about 10 of them to fire up a lantern.

[Alfred]

Al, If you don't tell anyone that it's a cobbled together monster.... not many people will guess.

Yeah, that's what I figured too, most people including myself, probably wouldn't notice. Actually, its kind of interesting that its cobbled together (and I think the term "Frankenlantern" is humorous...).

Plus, even if I run into a lantern expert, it will be a good conversation starter.

Like I told Doug earlier, anybody asks about it, I'll tell 'em, "Its one of a kind"! I'm probably the best one to buy it, as my interest is primarily in taking it camping. Frankly, I just hope it fires up!

Assuming it does light, then I will have two Coleman fuel lanterns, and I will not be using my propane lantern as much anymore. I have a Coleman fuel stove, too. So I will just be able to take the two lanterns and the stove and only need one fuel.

As far as the Coleman brand, I think some of their new plastic stuff isn't as good. But even today, their good stuff is really good. And, there is no disputing the longevity of their product. I really like the stove and the lanterns I already own.

AL in Asheville

[Ageless]

Just tell them it's an export model

[Alfred]

Hey gang,

Got an email from the seller, he's shipping it out tomorrow (Monday, 11/09/09), I will post some more on it when I actually have it in hand...

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. One of the things I really enjoy about being part of the group.

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

Just tell them it's an export model

That's funny, too! They 'exported' it to Western NC, that's what they did...

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

Well, that's one way of putting it...they're nicknamed a "Frankenlantern" Doug

So, what I hear you saying is, this limited-edition, one-of-a-kind lantern was specifically designed and inspired in the classic literary tradition of Shelley, whose Gothic horror vision and voice, remains with us even to this day...(?)

Wow - I had no idea this lantern was so special...

AL in Asheville