Does anyone on Tman know who our expert lantern guy is? Seems I remember one member collects/restores them. My dad has an old 200a odd ball I’m trying to getting some info on. Thanks

What do you want to know? I have some knowledge of Coleman lanterns. Been buying, restoring, collecting, and selling them for a few years now. What is odd about your 200A? Coleman made several different styles of 200A's. There were a few years of burgundy 200A's. A red and green Christmas lantern 200A. They made a black band 200A and the hard to find Gold Bond gold 200A.

Not to hijack, but do you know much about Coleman stoves, blackoak?

Jeff, Catch 22, is the lantern expert and restorer. He's not been doing real well lately.

Keith

I don't know anyone on Tman but I know some folks on another forum that are pretty knowlegeable

If you want to post your question(s) or PM me I could ask over there

From what I’ve been told, it was only made in 1959??

I don't think that is a model 200a. That doesn't look like anything Coleman I have seen. There is a forum called the Coleman Collectors forum on the internet. You can find any and everything on Coleman products. About all Coleman lanterns will have the month and date they were made stamped on the bottom of the font

It has a little surface rust. It is complete, but don’t know if it will work. There is a second globe inside thats around 1/2” thick. I was told it was used by the CIA for signaling. I don’t believe your supposed to see the glow?? or very little.

Very interesting lantern! All I could find online was the patent, but the patent is for a regular 200A. https://patents.google.com/patent/US2008882A/en

Maybe these were made specifically for the CIA?

From my understanding ,yes. Only in 1959. I believe the base is a standard coleman. Its the upper portion thats odd.

That looks to me like an aircraft marker light for use on airfields, etc. In all my time on the Coleman Collectors Forum I have never seen a 200A in that conformation. I am sure the folks on there would love to see that and can probably fill in some of the gaps in information.

Moosetrot

That's a signaling lantern for th US army. Used in Vietnam. It wasn't used as a light source, it was used as a infrared signal for landing aircraft. Put off a subdued amount of light, but a lot of heat that could be picked up by aircraft equipment . They are very rare, I've heard less than 20 are in collections.

Taken from Terry Marsh's Lantern Reference site:

This Coleman 200A lantern has been modified with an elaborate globe cage and 3 cylindrical globes, the innermost being a Fresnel lens. An outer infrared filter keeps visible light from shining out the sides. This lantern was made for the military to help direct planes to airfields in or near enemy territory. These lanterns, dated June ’59, are in Mike Rainey’s (left) & Dean DeGroff’s (right) collections.

Moosetrot

Thanks for the info guys and gals! Dad has had it hanging in his basement for a couple of years. His friend picked it up at a yard sale.

I don't think you ought to be in a big hurry to get rid of it...unless you want to sell it to me! LOL Do some research on it. The problem with the Coleman Collectors Forum is they do not give values on stuff.

Moosetrot

(This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) of a yard sale find there!