I have just purchased my second Coleman lantern, a model 200a. The first non British lantern is also a Coleman 201 from @David Shouksmith at Newark earlier this year. I blame him totally for this diversion from all British makes! Now I am smitten with the 201 because of looks, ease of use, size and light output so decided to look at other models. The 200a's in the reference gallery all run on white gas/naphtha but my one is set up for paraffin. This made me wonder if this was a simple conversion with a kero generator and spirit cup or an original version specifically for the UK market. Unfortunately I do not have any instructions to check against and there are no labels or stamped on instructions specifying fuel type/warnings. Just wondered what thoughts you good folk have on this. Regards, Jeremy
The 200A is my new best friend, especially since I converted it to Kerosene. It's a simple conversion with changing the generator and adding a preheat cup.
Hi folks @JEFF JOHNSON Thanks for the input, I thought this was the most likely case but it is good to have clarification. @David Shouksmith the best crime you could ever commit! @goldwinger11 Just waiting for some mantles to arrive in the post. I am itching to fire it up in anger for the first time although it has a good Bunsen flame. Regards, Jeremy
Take care of that globe! It’s not original to that lantern and is a lot older than you’d think. Harder to find made in England Pyrex
That’s a nice lamp. Looks very well cared for. I’m fettling 200, built 11-68, just like this as we speak. Mine’s not kerosene, I’ll be running it on Shellite.
I really love my British lanterns a great deal and have a bunch of Tilley's, Bialaddins and Vapalux, but, if it's ease of use and I mean absolutely crazy easy to use, Coleman's can't really be beat! I have a 285 and a 295 and in a power cut I always go to find these first because a few pumps and a lighted match later and they're burning bright as can be! Once this is done I look around for one of my Bialaddins and get that started. When the Colemans and Bialaddins are lit, I start one of my Petromax clones for the living room as the things are so damn bright!
I particularly like Coleman's design in their pumps and NRVs. You can still prevent any leakages with their built-in needle valve and the NRVs are fully metallic. No rubber seals to worry about here. Not to mention the air tube extension to prevent flammable liquids from spewing out, in case if it does leak.
I have a 201 (paraffin version of the 200) bright and easy to light. Light it first to give light to get the Tilleys lit
