US Military Lantern Questions

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

I was able to find a set of Military "Coleman" lanterns in the original wooden crate. These lanterns look as if they have never been used. In fact, the wooden crate is in excellent condition as well. In the wooden crate there are mantels and it looks like everything needed to repair the internals as well including spare glass. Separate items are still in manila envelopes some of which have never been opened. The glass is still in the cardboard boxes and I hear no broken pieces when gently shaken. On the bottom of the lanterns reads U.S. Lantern Gasoline Leaded Fuel, Coleman 1969. I am not sure if they work as I just got them yesterday. I paid $50 for them. Hope it wasn't a waste of money. I see some are selling on eBay for more than that, so I guess there are some people that want these. I have one standard consumer grade Coleman lantern from when I camped as a kid, but this one uses the standard Coleman fuel.

My questions are:
1. Has anyone ever seen or used ones like these?
2. Can I use regular UN-leaded gas in these?
3. Is there anything in particular I need to know about these?

[EX121]

Check out the web site http://www.oldcolemanparts.com There are great pictorals on how to renovate/repair etc. It will answer a lot of your questions. There is also a site for collectors (sometimes the site is up sometimes not).
Usually the biggest problem is with the genrator which is fairly easy to replace.
An easy test you can do now is to see if it holds air. Try pumping it up. You may need to oil the pump membrane first. If it holds air that's a good start. If it doesn't hold air you may need to replace the fuel cap, or cap gasket.
It was probably a good deal, even if you need to replace some parts.

[thedreamers]

I have seen at wallyworld in the camping section small bottles of gas for them. Its getting harder to find things(fuel and parts) to keep older more reliable equipment workin/running. Sometimes when we have the extra money, we try to pick up a few cans of coleman fuel for an old latern and a stove. We have newer ones that run on propane but the older ones work great still and never had problems with them.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

EX121,
after I started this thread I started to web search and found that site as well as others. I have not done a pressure test yet, but will. Thanks for that idea. These things do not look like they have even been used as there is no soot or burn marks anywhere I can see. one has a small ding on it, but otherwise nothing else that looks like damage. I was and still am wondering if unleaded fuel we have now can be used. The Coleman white gas can be used as I saw others on some of those sites talking about it (thanks thedreamers for suggesting that as well). It would be nice to be able to use regular unleaded gas as in a grid down situation vehicles will still have some and some of the stored fuel can be used if needed. I have not seen anyone saying they are or are not using unleaded. When I get a chance I'll post some pictures.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Been out hunting and just got back, yes I've used them and was licensed on them, you can use unleaded and white gas in them both. The generator as EX121 stated might go bad but can be replaced. The pump gaskets can dry up after long term storage, gently rub them with some mineral oil and allow them to re-swell slowly and maybe they might be ok but it's hard to say for sure.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Okay, this is weird, but when I posted this I thought to myself if anyone will know it will be matt in OK or Grand. I don't know why I thought that, but I did. I'm sure others may know them as well, and I hope if you do you will chime in. I plan on working with them soon, but may not be until next weekend as I've got things planned this week (arrgh).

Thanks matt for the info on the unleaded gas, is 87 octane okay or should I use 91 octane?

[Grand58742]

IIRC, it used standard MOGAS which was regular 87 or so octane. I think I used them myself a long time ago and found a few in a warehouse before I left Germany. Even had the chance to snag one, but passed it up. Kicking myself in the behind for not grabbing it now.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

is 87 octane okay or should I use 91 octane?

I can tell you that we used the regular mogas as Grand stated and we bought stuff local purchase from the gas stations and had no issues. I would also just put a small amount in there the first time until you ensure that it is GTG. That way if anything does go wrong you dont have a full tank to burn up. I've only had one lantern go up in all the years I've used them. The only difference you will see between leaded and unleaded is the burn brightness and generator life. Most people outside the military never burn up a generator unless they use it alot. Let us know how they work. When we replaced ours with both propane and the silver coleman multifuels they were so beat up they werent really worth the effort of keeping. My favorite are the propane because i'm lazy and dont wanna pump, pour and maintain throughout the night

[thedreamers]

My favorite are the propane because i'm lazy and dont wanna pump, pour and maintain throughout the night

Thats funny, I was the same way. Sometimes I really hated pumping those things..

[Klayton]

Thats funny, I was the same way. Sometimes I really hated pumping those things..

Like at o'dark 30, and at 20 degrees outside on a cold Germany morning, so you can get your gear on to go help with your platoon's turn at KP set up?

LOL how I do not miss those particular days... LOL

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Like at o'dark 30, and at 20 degrees outside on a cold Germany morning, so you can get your gear on to go help with your platoon's turn at KP set up?

LOL how I do not miss those particular days... LOL

hit that nail right on the head there Brother!!!

[protus]

the pump/seals etc can all be had at places like walmart/kmart etc. look in clearance bins ( i picked up to pumps for under 5$ once).
The seals are leather. like MIO said mineral oil or like me i used some EVOO.. it worked fine after 24 hours of soaking.
ive got two stoves both pre 75's....not one issue besides the dry seal issue.

[gunfreak]

Coleman and other makers have a stainless steel mesh that replaces the glass one. I bought two for $5 each. They are not as bright but will not break and last forever.