Zach's Lantern Thread (another 242C pg5)

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Hey you Coleman pro's - Saw this on craigslist and its about 10 minutes from me. Was thinking about going to check it out. Would be my first "real" lantern. Wanted to get everyone's thoughts first though, since I don't really know what I'm looking at.

http://york.craigslist.org/atq/2922791539.html

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Just talked to the guy and I'm gonna go take a look at it tonight around 6:30. He said it lights and would fire it up for me. So what would be a reasonable offer - start at $30?



What model is this? Just did some searching and looks like a 242C?

[campmaster-k]

That 242 is a good lantern if it is in good working condition. The price one pays for Coleman Lanterns is not always relative to its value on some market. That lantern has a very worn fount. That does not mean its bad its just not a museum piece. Its a user. In California, in the wild, $30 would be on the high side. On ebay $30 would be low.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks Kirk - I dont need a show piece, but I've been keeping an eye out for a lantern to play with, and really like the nickle plated look. Are there any tips you can give me as to what to look at when I go see it? I've never dealt with the old gas lanterns before so I'm somewhat clueless (but willing and eager to learn)

[campmaster-k]

I am no expert, but the first thing I do is look down in the tank with a little flashlight. You want to see a clean environ. no chunks of stuff. However if there is lots of crud it can be cleaned. Next I look to see if it has been violated with pliers. Rounded nuts and ruined fuel cap. Thats the stuff that really makes it a deal breaker for me. The glass globe on the lantern in the pic is not original but is still worth 12-18 bucks all by itself. The hat or vent is important, the fewer the chips the better. If the vent is perfect ( not one chip) it is worth alot all by itself to a collector.

[campmaster-k]

You should by that lantern. It will not be the last 242 you buy. If it has at least some perfect parts you can build a perfect franky with it.

[doug hodder]

I don't believe that bail to be the correct one on that lantern. Typically that bail has straight sides with a small area where it goes over the vent when in the down position not the large looping thing like it has on it, and is larger in diameter than what is shown. Nickel is worn off in places and the perforations on the vent show some rust. With an asking price of $60 I'd pass, but if you can really beat him up...go for it if you're dying to have it. Don't get in a panic....there's always another one out there. Doug

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I don't believe that bail to be the correct one on that lantern. Typically that bail has straight sides with a small area where it goes over the vent when in the down position not the large looping thing like it has on it, and is larger in diameter than what is shown. Nickel is worn off in places and the perforations on the vent show some rust. With an asking price of $60 I'd pass, but if you can really beat him up...go for it if you're dying to have it. Don't get in a panic....there's always another one out there. Doug

I had to google "lantern bail". Yes, I'm that much of a newb to this stuff.

And after Googling Coleman 242 and seeing other ones, looks like your right Doug - not that I had any doubt.

So that'll just be another working point for the price.

Thanks Doug

[parnold]

Single mantle lanterns are the coolest!

I don't know if you're cool enough yet for a single mantle Zach.. maybe you should look for a nice 228 to start out with.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I don't know if you're cool enough yet for a single mantle Zach

[Joamon]

Waiting for the results !!!!!

Keith

[absolutsnwbrdr]

When I got to the guys house it was all fired up and glowing bright. It looked just like the pictures.... No surprises. Ended up having a few beers with the guy and talked about campers and lanterns and whatever. After the lantern cooled off, I examined it a little closer and decided I had to have it. Ended up giving him $40 for it.

So I got it home....


Lit it up and admired its beauty....


And then, just as any curious person would do, I took it apart to clean it

So I started polishing...



And then added a little more elbow grease...



And then a bit more....



And just a little bit more....



Until I had this...



As for the blemish in the original pic, where it looks like the finish was worn away.... it polished right out




Dammmmmmit. My name is Zach, and I'm hooked.

[campmaster-k]

Welcome to the madness.

[parnold]

Good score Zach!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks... its not perfect by any means, but I'm definitely happy with it. Haven't fired it up since I cleaned it, but I'm going to pick up some fuel at lunch.