Anyone into old Coleman lanterns?

[TUD1]

Recently picked up lantern collecting, and I'm loving it. Certainly easier to store and transport than television sets. Don't worry though, I'm still going strong on TV's. These are my two gas lanterns as of right now. A 1962 model 220E, (left) and a 2015 285A Dual Fuel (right). I bought it brand new for $60. Don't mind the one in the middle, it's propane, I don't like propane.

[Celt]

Although I don't have any Coleman lanterns...I do have two working oil lamps from the early century that are quite cool.

[Titan1a]

Just remember that the old lanterns are RADIOACTIVE! The mantel contains thorium oxide. Store in cardboard or aluminium foil.

[TUD1]

The new Coleman mantles do not contain thorium. The older ones did, but they changed it so that they only have yttrium. There is one brand of mantles I will be buying though. Peerless mantles, made in the Philippines have thorium. They are much brighter and stronger than Coleman mantles, which are made in Wichita.

[Dude111]

I love them!!!!

Gracious for sharing that

[TUD1]

The old Coleman Silk Light mantles contained thorium, and I've heard from lantern collectors that they were the best mantles ever made. The new ones from Coleman suck.

[madlabs]

Don't collect them, but I did recently pick up one that looks to be of 60s vintage and is bright red. Got it at the mall (err, dump). Pump won't turn, I need to take it apart, but those things can always be fixed. I also have a few 1800s oil lamps.

How do you date your colemans?

[zeno]

Dont collect them but I do love them. Agree they are
not as bright as they used to be. Used to be like a
search light in the woods. Could find camp easily.

BTW in summer hang a white sheet near your lantern & it
will call in bugs you never dreamed existed.....

[TUD1]

The month and year the lantern was made is stamped on the bottom of the fount.

[Titan1a]

Maybe I should find and buy one. Maybe a blizzard next week.