A mate came to supper last evening and brought with him this model 639 for my collection. I have never seen one before. And, yes, it's the same friend who gave me a 201 recently which is the subject of a thread on the Fettling Forum. The lamp was kept in a shed on a farm and hasn't run for many years. It wouldn't fire up until we changed the paraffin - which looked like muddy water and smelt worse. But with fresh fuel the lamp ran very well. Very bright!The fount almost certainly needs a good clean-out and I'm learning that with lamps one thing leads to another..... I am fortunate to have an indulgent wife. A question, though: According to the collar, the correct globe is a 660. I don't know what that means or looks like. The present globe has no markings on it at all but it's diam is quite a bit smaller than the cage-base - 110mm as against the base's 130mm. Also the height of the globe is much less than the cage will accommodate - 114mm whereas the cage would accommodate a height of around 135mm. The result is that the globe rattles around alarmingly. Can anyone confirm from this info whether the globe is the correct one or not? Peter
Peter, your 639 takes the Large Bulge 660 globe, available from www.packrat.co.za www.bidorbuy.co.za.(seems there is no stock, but you can email packrat to ask Jacqui there). The 639 is a sturdy, well made and exceedingly bright lantern, rated at 550cp. Like your 201, due to the all steel construction, they are susceptible to rust. The globe you have there would be suitable for the Coleman 214, 339 and various 350-500cp Petromax style lanterns.
Thanks for that info, Phil. I hadn't realised that both my recent acquisitions are all-steel construction. Cheaper to make, I suppose. I'm especially chuffed to learn that the globe will fit the Coleman 214 and 339 models as I have one of each of those in my burgeoning collection! It's a pity about the unavailability of 660 globes but I will contact Packrat and find out more. Peter
Thanks Jeff and Tony. That's a really kind offer, Tony. I'll see what I can scratch out locally but it's really nice to know that there's a Plan B. I have a son in Tasmania and an SA-resident daughter who will be visiting him later in the year - a possible courier if needs be
Phil, I've just been in contact with Jacqui at Packrat and they do have a globe for the 639! So that will save a long-range courier from Tony in Tassie. BTW, Tony, you're right about Tasmania being a small place - according to Google Earth you are only about 20 mins away from my son in Kettering .
He's a vet, Tony. Only occurs to me now that he's never told me the name of the practice! He and his missus also have a b 'n' b there with a small vineyard - Herons Rise. Lucky man! cheers, Peter
