Historical Information Needed by The Commissary Dept.

[Delmonico]

Does anyone have any pictures or other information on the Coleman lanterns used in WWI?   

I have several newer ones and my plan is to rebuild a couple of them, build a wooden box for them and leave them up at the camp for times when we are doing dishes after dark or if someone needs more light for gun repairs or such.

I would like to know what color they were painted and how close these look to the period ones.   

I think they could be something we could use from time to time if we needed more light than a fire and our coal oil ones.   

I have both double and single mantle and if both were used then I think one of each would be good..

[River City John]

http://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=WKL

This site has credible info. Lower left in the sidebar.

RCJ

[1961MJS]

Hi Del

I used to live in Wichita KS, where Coleman was started.  They have a nice little Museum where the old plant was downtown.

http://www.coleman.com/ColemanHistory/

235 Saint Francis North, Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 264-0836

Call and ask them the question.  They might have drawings etc.  The repair stuff has dwindled a little over the years, but they used to provide parts for almost any Coleman Product.  I know, I was a Scout leader there.

later

[St. George]

You're going to want to take a look for the ML211.

The Coleman ML211  is fairly close to the Coleman IL323.

Both were released in 1915 - just in time for WWI, and as it happened, the military needed a lantern -  therefore the Coleman ML211 (The ML stands for military) was adopted.

The ML211 is an 'Air O Lantern' that is lead coated and used a 'Quick-Light' burner.

It doesn't look like the regular Coleman Lantern we all know - the lens is round and not tubular.

Serious military use of Coleman products came during WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

http://millioncandlepower.info/lantpre50.html

I had an ML211 that belong to my Dad, it was all brass as I recall. I remember as early as I was little kid it being around...
It was lost in my barn fire a few years ago.

[Major 2]

Also..I assume you've seen this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19th-century-Marine-Brass-Lantern-/311283872836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4879f6f444