Coleman made the stamped C version of Model 220 from 1944-46.
This lantern, in Ron Lenfield's collection, is dated July '46.
Models 220C and 228C had a yellow decal on the fount
with lighting instructions (right image).
The Coleman reflector is the black-handled version
for many 220 series lanterns.

Coleman made the "D" version of Model 228 from 1947-1951.
This one, in Patrick Fay's collection, is dated April, 1948,
and has the original globe
on which Coleman appears in large faint green letters.
This was the last version to have a nickel plated brass fount
and the pump is held in by two small screws, not a spring clip.

This Model 220D, in Deems Burton's collection,
is almost like new and is dated B '48,
which we think means it was made in July-Dec of that year.
The black-handled Coleman reflector, 220D790, fits 220C-F models.
Note the two pegs in the bottom bracket of the reflector
to engage the corresponding holes in the globe cage bottom for attachment.

Another lantern in Deems Burton's collection, the 242C,
is dated Aug '48, and is little changed from the 242B predecessor model.
This model was produced from 1942-50;
some of them have the fount finished in green paint
rather than nickel plated as here.
The blue-handled Coleman reflector, #242C790,
is made for the 242 series, 247, and 249 model lanterns.

This kerosene Model 241 was made by Coleman in Canada
in March, 1949.
This model was put in production in 1945
as an economy model; note the aluminum ventilator.
This lantern is in Neil McRae's collection.

Two Canadian Coleman Model 236 lanterns, named the Major.
This 500 cp model uses white gas and is very common in Canada.
The one on the left is dated Mar. '49 and has the older style ventilator.
On the right, the 236A, dated Dec. '62, has the newer style ventilator
and the pump is held with a metal clip, rather than two small screws.
Both of these lanterns are in Matt Reid's collection
and have mantles from their respective periods.

Coleman 237 lanterns with an American Optical film strip and slide projector (left)
and a Society for Visual Education Inc. slide and film strip projector (right).
The potential markets were missionaries and rural communities
that lacked electric power, according to a 1949 Coleman News.
These undated lanterns are in Dick Seller's collection, left, and Bob Willard, right.
The Charles Beseler Co. also made a similar projector for this lantern.

Coleman in Wichita, Kansas made the Model 200 lantern in 1950-51
and features a nickel plated brass fount.
This lantern, dated Dec. '50, is in Deems Burton's collection
and includes a red-handled Coleman reflector, 200-790, made for models 200, 200A, & 202
The two downward projections at the bottom of the bracket
fit into holes in the globe cage base on these models.

In "A" 1951 Coleman was making the 220D and 228D
with green painted brass founts rather than nickel plated brass.
The valve wheels on these lanterns are brown plastic
and there is no decal on the side of the fount.

Coleman models 228E (left) and 220E (right) had steel founts.
The one on the left, in Dean DeGroff's collection, is date stamped July 1951,
the earliest date we have seen for this model.
It lacks the Coleman decal under the filler cap
which Coleman started using a couple of months later,
as on the right which is date stamped October, 1951.

Coleman likely made the 246B as an export version of the 242B lantern.
This model was made in the US
and apparently marketed overseas through Coleman of Canada.
Instructions on the collar are in English, French, & Spanish.
It is identified on the collar as a "Sportlight" "Instant Lighting"
& "For Gasoline Only."
This lantern, in John Bell's collection, is dated Nov. '50?

Model 238B was made for export;
the directions on the collar are only in Dutch and French.
This 500 CP kerosene fueled model has a preheater torch and alcohol cup.
The generator is ribbed, the burner tip is ceramic, & the ventilator is aluminum.
The round glass globe was removed for the image.
This lantern, in Bob Frank's collection, is dated April '52.

Coleman made this inverted lantern for military trial.
A similar lantern was made by The Mantle Lamp Co. of America.
The decal on this lantern (lower image)
identifies it as T 53-5, which may be the date of manufacture.
The lantern is in Richard & Lorna Long's collection.

Kerosene Model 249 on the left is stamped: Made in Australia
by arrangement with Coleman Lamp & Stove Co. Ltd. Canada, and has a globe marked Colex.
The 249 in the center is stamped Made in England and is date stamped May 1954.
This lantern, in Doron Papo's collection, was perhaps at most assembled in England but made in Canada.
The 249 on the right is date stamped Apr. 1959 and was probably made in Toronto but is not marked.
The lanterns on the left and right are in Rob Roberts' collection.

The Coleman 237 lantern above is date stamped Aug. 1957.
It is also stamped Made in England on the direction disk and the side of the fount.
Neil McRae believes that it and other lantern models from the mid 1950's that are stamped Made in England
were assembled there with parts from Canada.
This lantern is in Dan Boschen's collection.

Coleman made the Model 200A for 31 years beginning in 1952.
In 1953 this model had a black globe base (left)
and in 1961 it was maroon rather than red (right)
but most years, as in 1960 (center), it was red with an aluminum globe rest.
The lantern in the center has a replacement globe and fuel cap.
The lanterns on the left and right are in Bob Willard's collection.

Model 202, the Professional (left), is dated Jan., '55.
This model was produced for 10 years beginning in 1954
For the first couple of years the burner was ceramic.
The same lantern (right) fitted with a custom ventilator and separate shade
beautifully crafted in chrome plated brass  by a Japanese collector, Mr. Watanabe.
Monte Dodge's 202, running, is dated Mar. '57 and has a metal burner tip.

Coleman in Canada made the 200A US model as their number 200.
This Model 200 is in Monte Dodge's collection and is undated, which is unusual.
It was probably made in the early 60's based on the ventilator style
and clip used to fasten the pump handle..
The Model 200 differs from the US Model 200A
in having the model information in raised numbers on the collar
and, in the earlier years, using a wing nut
to fasten the globe cage to the lantern base.

Coleman initially made the Col-Max models in the US
beginning in 1939-40, then switched production to the Canadian plant
and later to Hong Kong, where they were made until 1970.
Col-Max models were exported to compete with Petromax style lanterns.
Model 333 (left), in Jerry Engbring's collection, is an undated 300cp model Made in Hong Kong.
Model 555 (right), in Don Colston's collection, is a mint 500cp model dated Jan '58 and Made inCanada.

Coleman in Canada made the Model 247 for consumers (left)
and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) (right).
The CPR version has a half frosted globe with frosted CPR letters.
A metal bar mounted at the bottom of the globe cage (visible on the left)
was apparently used to secure the unlit lantern when the train was moving.
This lantern, dated May, '57, is in George Rocen's collection.
The 247 on the left is in Craig Seabrook's collection
and is dated April '48.

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 lanern 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.
Please contact me if you have one of these lanterns.