What can I say about Akron lanterns and lamps? Does "frustrating" fit the bill? This pair was my LAST foray into this make. My "Akrons Anonymous" meetings have restored my sanity with respect to dealing with this make. So many stress cracked founts and inability to find the dreaded "Instant Glo" generator with an intact pricker wire. LOL! Both lanterns were completely rust remediated inside the fount and coated with POR-15 US Standard Tank Sealer. They both have the original Macbeth Thermo globes. Bob
Hi. In these reference galleries we prefer just one lamp in each post rather than a comparison like this. Not a big deal though and I understand the need. Maybe we can do something about that one day. I can well understand your frustration with Akron. People have said to me the quality is not good but you have to remember that stress cracks take maybe 50 years to appear so when new these products were about as Good as Coleman. The engineering standard only beomes apparent after a considerable time. With a good tank and half decent generator they work well so from a historical point of view they are a serious product. Also Akron Designs carried AGM into the 1950s and beyond with the SunFlame brand lamps which are a clever take on pressure lamp design. Nice lamps those but not really poratble. I know I would not like to have to carry one too far because full of fuel they are HEAVY man. ::Neil::
well I'm a little late to this post but I own an unlit version of this lantern and I'd like to know the year it was made. It appears art decco and that would suggest late 1930's. anyone know? Hello Jeff wonder if you remember me and I still miss Bob. Dan MacPherson California USA
These turn up as MW lamp models 04, 14 and 24 or 24A The collar markings are confusing and have been seen as :- Model 04 - RA86-7281, Model 14 - RA86-7281 and Model 24- RA86-7281 The catalogue number seems to be 7281 with the latest listing in 1936. The PLC has this note on the models Models 04, 14 and 24A are all variations of Akron Diamond models 134G and Montgomery Ward models RA86 -7281, and 7281. The model 24A valve casting is marked “US pat 1929933” which was applied for 11th January 1930 and is for the Akron Instant-Glo system with a simple fuel pick up tube and an air inlet from the valve casting . The fuel/air inlets are controlled with opposing horizontal needle valves. Model 24A has an unmarked valve casting but the fuel feed control is a vertical spring loaded valve and the air control is a horizontal needle. The instructions and method of operating both types are identical however and, other than the stamping on the valve casting, there is no difference in the outward appearance of the different valve types. I suspect these two types of fuel/air valves will be found in most, if not all, Akron Diamond Insta-Glo models. I also have it listed as 586C7281 (1936) and as 7281 with variation in the bail attachment. ::Neil::
