#17 - 1934 228B - Birthday series, part 3

Vital Stats
Model: 228B
Date: September 1934 
Technology: Instant-Lite
Mantles: 2
Fuel: Gasoline
Date Acquired: January 3, 2018

I acquired this particular piece from a fellow collector after noticing it was my late father's "birthday" lantern, and he graciously agreed to sell to me.  

For my money, I don't know that there is a more attractive model than the 228B.  The iconic wide brim of the 228 paired with a nickel plated brass fount polish to a mirror finish gives it almost a regal appearance.  Technically the 2nd in the 228 series, after the L228 "Slant" (we'll talk about that later), the 228B was really the first of its kind.  It featured engineering designs that were so successful and reliable they would be produced in some variation through the end of the 220F run in 1973; a 43 year run.

In fact the B would share significantly more parts with its 40 year junior, the F, than it would its immediate predecessor.  At a distance the 228B and the L228 appear very similar, but as you approach them the appearances become stark.  After you have disassembled each you can hardly believe they were made by the same company.

The minor differences are too numerous to mention, but the main improvements were to the fuel delivery system.  Starting in the fount, Coleman improved the fuel and air mixing by creating mechanical separation of the two; something that was otherwise accomplished by physics in the Slant.  Secondly, above the fount, Coleman delivered and integrated tip cleaning system into the lantern itself, which was previously only available on the generator itself, and on select generators at that.  This allowed Coleman to produce lower cost, cleanable generators.

Lastly, the other big improvement was the introduction of the Pyrex globe.  Prior to the B, lanterns were assembled with a mica "chimney".  But given the fragility of the mica and no longer needing a built-in pre-heat door, Coleman was able to use a one-piece, light weight, highly heat resistant glass to protect the mantles.  The B originally came with the option of a mica chimney or a new Pyrex globe with sand-etched logo.  After a couple of years the B only shipped with Pyrex globes featuring a more familiar screen printed logo.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#9 - 1973 228H Gold Bond - Gold fever

Image
Vital Stats Model:  228H Date:  May 1973 Technology:  Instant-Lite Mantles:  2 Fuel: Gasoline Date Acquired:  August 20, 2016 Gold has captured the fascination of humans since before recorded history, and even in the small world of lantern collecting it is no different.  Many collectors first obsession will be to find a "Gold Bond".  There are more desirable, rare and valuable pieces, but I believe it is the relative familiarity of a common model appearing in an unusual variant, without having to dig too far into history, which makes it an easy target.  Gold Bond stamps were distributed at businesses starting in the early 1900's as an early version the modern "loyalty programs".  Then, when enough stamps were collected, they could be cashed in for goods or services.  Coleman produced the 228F , 228H and 200A lanterns as well as two stove models, from roughly 1971 - 1973.  These were distinguished from the regular Coleman line by finishing them in what some col
Read more

#30 - 1955 202 - Even a blind squirrel...

Image
Vital Stats Model:  202 Date:  May 1955 Technology:  Instant Light Mantles:  1 Fuel:  Gasoline Date Acquired:  November 10, 2018   The further I descend into this collector madness, the more I become fixated on a particular model.  For the longest time, that model was the 202. Basically a model 200A  at its heart, it features almost no steel with a claim of being (virtually) rust proof.  Marketed as "The Professional" by Coleman it debuted in 1954 and featured a nickel plated brass fount and collar, and stainless steel burner cage and bail.  All of which are steel on the 200A and, of course, subject to rust. Just the relative scarcity and upgraded features make it highly desirable in the Coleman collector community with values reflecting.  I don't think any collector would call it rare, but they are definitely hard to get your hands on (and can cost a fortune when you do).   Up until I got my first one I had never even seen one in the wild.  That I found this one was almo
Read more

#4 - 1986 288A - Stepping up my game

Image
Vital Stats Model:  288A Date:  March 1986 Technology:  Adjustable (Schrader valve) Fuel:  Gasoline Date Acquired:  May 4, 2016 Paid: $15 for lantern and 425F stove. By 2016 I had never owned a Coleman 2-burner "suitcase" style stove.  I was always impressed with them and wanted one, but the opportunity never really came up.  Any camping that I did was mostly backpacking, and when I did car camp I usually used one of my single burners.  I had a propane topping model that I bought from a general store while camping on the Outer Banks, after a disastrous attempt to cook bacon over Sterno in a rain storm.  I also had a model 442 Peak 1 that I bought with my 229 , and for a good bit of my camping life I owned a Coachmen pop-up camper that had a built-in propane stove, so again, no real need. But by 2016 I had 2 kids, had sold the camper, and was ready to step up my game. My first inclination was to go to REI and buy a new one, but the price tag was shocking.  I did a
Read more