#23 - 1958 252A "Milspec"

Vital Stats

Model: 252A - Coleman
Date: 1958
Technology: Instant-light
Mantles: 1
Fuel: Gasoline, including leaded
Date Acquired: August 3, 2017 

Every collector has a different motif for their collection.  I like my collection to be an exposition of the history and evolution of the products, as well as an education in the different technologies used.  Up until my acquisition of this 252A, the "milspec" had evaded me.

The US military had a very specific requirement in mind for it's lighting and cooking appliances as it entered WW2; they had to be able to burn leaded fuel in addition to the white/unleaded gasoline that Coleman and simliar products had been burning in the US up until that point.  Apparently Europe used mostly leaded gasoline at the time.   The problem with leaded fuel is that it fouls up components when burned (while also reducing knock!).

From what I am able to determine, Aladdin built the first burner (more on that later) that was able to burn leaded gasoline with a reasonably long life.  Coleman first produced their own version of the Aladdin burner in 1945 with the model 252.  A few years later they produced the 252A , as seen here, that included most all of the military specification that would continue on through the 1980's. Such features include: field serviceable (must include tools and spare parts storage), no loose parts (funnels and fuel caps are chained on), and a multi-piece globe that would reduce breakage.  Curiously, none of the manufacturers of this specification was able to include spare generators on/in the appliance.  Coleman was not the only company to produce this lantern.

This lantern was fully complete when I bought it.  Most owners of milspecs, be it a Coleman or some other manufacturer, often complain about the stubbornness of lighting, but mine lights up just fine. 





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