#28 - 1968 237 - Let the Big Dawg Eat

 Vital Stats

Model: 237
Date: May 1968
Technology: Preheat
Mantles: 1
Fuel: Kerosene or Gasoline
Date Acquired: December 2, 2017



There's no doubt about it, if you've ever run one: The 237 is the big dawg of the Coleman lantern history. Being a kerosene model it burns a large mantle at 500 candle power.  It is nearly impossible to maintain eye contact with a properly tuned and running 237.  

By almost any measure, it is a larger version of the 249 (the ball nut on the 249 is larger).  By candle power measure, until the 1970's it was the brightest that Coleman produced.  Originally built by Coleman Canada for its market in the late 1930's, Coleman USA possibly manufactured one as well, but didn't "offically" include one in it's catalogs until 1941, with the 237A.  In this case the 237A precedes the 237; the only instance I can think of where a letter preceded a letterless model number.  Coleman produced some variant of the 237 until 1974.

Collectors are drawn to its simple engineering and graceful curves.  Though while the curved globe is certainly attractive, it also serves a functional purpose. A typical straight-edged globe sits too close to the extra-hot burning mantle, and will eventually scorch it.  The extra heat also puts accelerated wear on the porcelain enameled vent, and finding one with a vent in good condition is a challenge.  Kerosene is also lighter than water, so water settles to the bottom of the fount and many of these lanterns are found with bottoms that are rusted through, but savvy collectors know that they will also burn Coleman Fuel.

Many collectors struggle to find 237's in their area, if they find them at all.  I have been fortunate that they are fairly common in the Southeast, and finding them has not been a problem for me.  I acquired my first two on the same day; both of which I passed on to other collectors.  This one I won in an auction, but had corroded fount.  I replaced the fount with one from a 220F, which a buddy of mine powder coated black for me.  I also added a reproduction decal of a model 235 (the only 2-mantle kerosene lantern that Coleman manufactured).  Collectors call this a "custom". 


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