Military Coleman lantern

[TLC]

I picked up a 1965 vintage Vietnam era Coleman lantern today. I couldn't find a model number on it but I believe it's a 252. It's in pretty decent shape. Everything is there, even spare parts and tools in the storage tube in the fount. It has a 4 piece original globe and a funnel tethered to it.
It's not perfect though. Someone along the way tried changing the generator and messed up the threads on the fitting it connects to. It looks like a standard fitting, so I'll try and find one. Should be a fun project.
Oh and Doug, it's green!!
Tom

[doug hodder]

Nice one Tom...I really like those military's with the quadrant glass in them. I had one that I was watching, but after I got involved with the stove oven combo...blew off watching. Doug

[cherokeegeorge]

I have one of those, good purchase Tom

[TLC]

I have one of those, good purchase Tom

George:
Am I correct in guessing the model number? #252
Tom

[doug hodder]

Tom, if you decide to repaint the fount and the frame rest, the decals are available for it. Doug

[rainjer]

I have one of those, good purchase Tom

George:
Am I correct in guessing the model number? #252
Tom

It is hard to tell from one picture. Can you post more?

Bottom of fount, without the vent & glass. Thing like that.

Also, look at he collar to see if there is anything on there.

Jeremy

[doug hodder]

Something else to look for is if it has an aluminum generator and feeds the mantles from above. Doug

[rainjer]

The main reason I ask for more pictures is that could be a number of different manufactures.

This is a AGM/Thermos;


This is a Auto-Fab Manufacturing:


This is Coleman:


This is the Coleman 252:


These are all called Mil-spec lantern. They were all built the the same requirements.

Here is more info:
Milspec info (From Neil McRae)

Only the Coleman Milspecs had a model number. Coleman called the original 252 and when the quad globe was introduced in 1952 gave it the number 252A. None of the others have a number. So there is no such thing as an SMP 252A for instance.

Early production from 1944 and 1945 were made by AGM, Akron, and Coleman with Aladdin making burner sets to convert exising lanterns and possibly to supply burners for the other three.

1944 Akron, AGM (Albert Lee,MN), Coleman (Wichita, KS)
1945 AGM, Coleman
1951 AGM
1952-1961 Coleman
1963 Coleman, Thermos
1964-1966 Coleman
1967 Coleman, AutoFab
1968-1969 Coleman
1971-1972 Form-Tech
1973-1976 Coleman
1977 Armstrong Products (Huntington, WV)
1978 Armstrong Products
1979 Coleman, SMP (State Machine Products, Dry Ridge KY)
1980-1991 SMP

Jeremy

[TLC]

I have one of those, good purchase Tom

George:
Am I correct in guessing the model number? #252
Tom

It is hard to tell from one picture. Can you post more?

Bottom of fount, without the vent & glass. Thing like that.

Also, look at he collar to see if there is anything on there.

Jeremy

Jeremy:
I've checked all over this thing for a model number. Nothing to be found unless it's stamped on the fount behind the collar. The bottom says:
U.S.
Lantern, Gasoline leaded fuel
Coleman
1965
It has the 3 stickers that Doug mentioned and thats it.
Guess I'll know more when I take it apart. Still not sure if I'll repaint it just yet. I kind of like the original patina. I'll post more pictures tomorrow.

[rainjer]

More info:
SAFE WAY TO LIGHT ANY MILITARY LANTERN: (Thanks Don and Mark F.)

Check - that generator is firmly seated, top and bottom. Note - generator is easily bent - careful.

Fuel - use Coleman fuel. Auto fuel can be used, but not recommended. It will clog the generator eventually, and MilSpec generators are hard to find/expensive.

Mantle - #21 (although you may be able to use a 99, depends on the lantern), the military mantle has no direct counterpart. Avoid using the military mantles if any came with the lantern, as they are rare, and radioactive. If you have military mantles, and you absolutely have to use one, DO NOT breath the smoke from the burn-off. Wash the lantern spares compartment, with a cloth, in a soapy water solution. Rinse w/fresh water.

Lighting procedure - Release pressure (open fuel cap). Close fuel cap.
Pump - 5 strokes to start - 10 MAXIMUM
Open valve 1/4 turn. Wait for fuel to get through generator (should hear a change in hissing sound)
Light - expect flare-up.
Wait for mantle to 'settle in' before opening valve completely.
Once mantle has settled in (will probably be burning 'yellow') and valve opened, then SLOWLY add another 15-20 pump strokes of pressure. Don't want to overpressure it, as this will 'flood' the lantern.

Basically, the MilSpec lantern is a LOW PRESSURE lantern, something like the kerosene lanterns. Because of the unique generator, it takes longer to light than regular lanterns, and it is a lot more touchy to pressure and valve settings. Lighting a Milspec is more an art than a science.

Jeremy

[TLC]

Jeremy:
Thanks for all the info. From what I read, since mine is stamped 1965, it's manufactured by Coleman and does not have a model number stamped on it. Correct?
Thanks again
Tom

[rainjer]

According to several Coleman experts I asked, yes if it is a 1965 Coleman it would be a 252A.

Jeremy

[billyB]

I have one of these that is a 1966. It seems to be in pretty good condition compared to the ones I saw in the pictures. I am probably going to sell it. What would be a good price?? Thanks

[Mark72]

I don't have one of those yet.. I'll pm ya!

Mark

[billyB]

I would like to sell it but I have no idea what to charge. I am still trying to find more info on the price ranges. Any clue??