Coleman 639 and 639A: why ‘A’?

I don’t understand why Coleman would go to the trouble of handwriting ‘A’ on the 639 boxes if there wasn’t some key difference? The bail is longer on the ‘A’ but that’s about it, externally.

P.S. yes I know the colour is different on these 2

 

According to @Mackburner in the Pressure Lamp Catalogue, the Coleman 639 has a nickel plated globe cage and the 639A has a cadmium plated globe cage.


Cheers

Tony

 

@Tony Press , how can you distinguish between nickel and cadmium?

 

I know not...

Cheers

Tony

 

I do know that cadmium inside your body is really not clever..

 

For nickel-plated parts, most of you guys would be somewhat familiar with its usual colour. Cadmium plating can come in a greater variety of hues and difficult to pinpoint what is typical.
For a steel globe cage, cadmium plating would offer better corrosion protection than nickel plating.
Cadmium offers galvanic protection to steel/iron whereas nickel doesn't.
Should there be minute spots and areas where the plating is compromised/missing, the underlying steel would remain largely rust-free if cadmium is used. If the plating is nickel, the steel/iron will quickly corrode in preference to the nickel.

 

Both of those lanterns are in great condition.

 

So much knowledge on here, thanks all.

On close inspection, I do believe there is a visual difference, one that likely won’t show well in photos. The frame of the 639 is a lighter shade of grey with a more uniform colour. The ‘A’, along with the ‘B’, are a darker more metallic, almost polished steel looking colour. Pretty sure you could visually spot the difference between an ‘A’ and a standard 639 based on this.

 

The problem is Jeff, the nice ones end up spending more time on the shelf than being burnt because I don’t want the kero to ruin them!!

 

Yes, but unused boxed lanterns are not that common.

 

I hane a light green 639...
Cadmium also has a more goldish/brass hue.

 

I don't see that as a problem at all - surely they've earned their place on the shelf merely by managing to remain as they left the factory all those years ago...

I don't suppose nickel is all that clever either. I wouldn't worry too much about it - not unless you're planning to lick the tanks for several hours every day for the next 50 years or so...
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