Coleman 530 pocket stove and 252 lantern, cool can opener added.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:27 pm

Picked up these military items, a 1946 Coleman 530 pocket stove and a 252 Mil spec Lantern.
Got the stove running after cleaning the lantern i`m waiting on the glass globe panels and new tank filler cap.

Maybe some of you older Vets remember these.

piller · Post by **piller** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:42 pm

Not old enough to remember any sort of light or cooking equipment that the Army might have used. Even so, it is pretty easy to spot that it is Coleman stuff. Coleman always seemed to last forever.

765x53 · Post by **765x53** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:20 pm

I used a similar stove on my Sheridan to cook the first ramen I ever tasted.
The lanterns illuminated our G P s in the field.

piller · Post by **piller** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 4:56 pm

We were the ones who rode on leather personnel carriers. Any extra ounces were usually tossed away at any opportunity.

Yes, leather personnel carriers were on your feet and they laced up. Army Boots!

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:23 pm

I was with a Echo battery, 12 marines, Fire Direction Control in Vietnam 65-67 and we had the lanterns and I think a few of the stoves.

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:32 pm

Oh yeah buddy, I remember them well. Not that I ever was allowed to touch one but I got hot coffee off the stove by the light of one of those lanterns of which I have several examples. I used to modify a pair of them to run on propane for the front of my gigging boat. Killed a lot of fish by the light of them. Gosh I miss that. Deep fried suckers on the gravel bar, nothing better.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:10 pm

Thanks gents, this stove is ww2 era, there was a 520 model that had four then later three legs that folded out on the bottom, i wanted one of those but go for high prices.
I think the stoves in the Vietnam era were shorter and made in 1950.
The 530 was the civilian model.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:16 pm

Nothing like the hiss of a Coleman lantern in a cabin.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:50 am

3leggedturtle wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:16 pm Nothing like the hiss of a Coleman lantern in a cabin.

These models are probably the loudest operating things Coleman ever made, and they flame way up when ya light them.

Here`s a video of someone lighting one, the stove is the same way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9foh_WwsfnY&t=146s

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:04 am

I have never used one so thanks for the Video, I hate being ignorant on such things....

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:11 am

Cool!

I bought one of those lanterns at an auction when I was in my twenties for $5 or $6. Never could get it to work. I gave it to a friend and no idea what happened to it after that. Love those old Coleman lanterns, I keep a couple here and several at the cabin.

jb

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:21 am

Ya have to clean them inside and out to get them to work proper and the gas tank caps need the gasket replaced or they won`t hold pressure or replace them with a newer style witch are much safer.
The caps with the hole in the side are the worse, if ya loosen them while it`s hot it could spray fluid towards the lamp and catch fire.
Here`s a link to a good parts supply.

https://www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php

And this one .

https://www.oldtowncoleman.com/

Caps.
https://www.oldtowncoleman.com/safety/c ... safety.htm

TWHBC · Post by **TWHBC** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:53 am

M. M. Wright wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 5:32 pm Oh yeah buddy, I remember them well. Not that I ever was allowed to touch one but I got hot coffee off the stove by the light of one of those lanterns of which I have several examples. I used to modify a pair of them to run on propane for the front of my gigging boat. Killed a lot of fish by the light of them. Gosh I miss that. Deep fried suckers on the gravel bar, nothing better.

Still have one with the reflector piece that acts as a handle to direct the brightness forward and minimize shining in your eyes. My Dad had a coleman with a chromed tank.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:08 am

I love those old Coleman lanterns. I have several of them stashed away.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:17 pm

Nice finds Lenn!

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:21 pm

Thanks fellers, i got these because of the era they were used in and that they are military.

piller · Post by **piller** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:46 pm

One Uncle used to tell of an incident. He and a friend were out fishing. Someone near them was unpacking a new Coleman lantern. That person got the mantles on and burned them, put on the glass and screwed the top on, filled it with fuel, put the cap on, pumped up the pressure, and lit it. WELL! Like a lot of Coleman lanterns, it flamed up pretty spectacularly because it was the first use. Apparently the person didn't know anything about Coleman lanterns and grabbed it and threw it into the lake. Whoever it was soon packed up and left. The Fishing Buddy who was with my Uncle grabbed a pair of waders and a stick with a hook on it. He went out and retrieved the lantern. When they got home, the Fishing Buddy went to a hardware store on his next trip to town and bought a new globe and mantles. When he had time, the lantern got put back together. Yes, it flamed up again at first. It soon settled down and worked for quite a few years. That Fishing Buddy and my Uncle have both passed on, but I bet that lantern still works.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:59 pm

Cool i bet it still works too.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 2:51 pm

Got the 252 running today, and i have a older three leg 520 stove coming.

junkbug · Post by **junkbug** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:34 pm

The stove looks like the one carried by the "Kovak" in the Audie Murphy movie "To Hell and Back".

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:04 pm

junkbug wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 5:34 pm The stove looks like the one carried by the "Kovak" in the Audie Murphy movie "To Hell and Back".

I scanned through the movie but couldn`t find it, who was Kovak

junkbug · Post by **junkbug** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:08 pm

Kovak was the Polish immigrant, and in the movie was killed because the stove he carried on his cartridge belt got tangled in barbed wire. He was played by Richard Castle.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:12 pm

Thanks i`ll have to look some more, i was watching the movie on utube but there wasn`t a immigrant in it.
Must not of been the full movie.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 6:41 pm

Found one at about 16:34 on the full movie, cool.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 12:45 pm

Got the older 520 today, after a good cleaning it works great.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:12 pm

I have one of the stoves, but only the propane lanterns. My Dad had 2 of the gas fired lanterns and the old 2 burner gas stove, but got rid of them when they came out with the propane versions. I wished he'd of kept them, I asked for 'em a couple of times before the got rid of them... even asked for them just before my wedding. What did he get me? 2 New propane lanterns! I think between the folks, the foster folks and brothers we got everything we needed to camp... tent, sleeping bags, stove, lanterns, army cots, cooking gear, camping dinner ware & flatware! Some of my "friends" thought it strange to be getting camping gear as wedding gifts... silly them!

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:15 pm

Just my opinion, but I switched over to propane. Instead of expensive little green bottles, I use a "Tree" on a regular propane tank....like you'd use on a grill. The lantern goes on the top, and another goes to the stove(s).
I didn't like hauling around that white gasoline...too dangerous.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:20 pm

I have propane lanterns and stoves the whole idea here is having a piece of history.

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:38 pm

The propane tree is easier, and you do not need to spin that little part to clean the generator. I have used the propane lanterns with a green bottle in the house when a storm knocked the power out. The single mantle bayonet type will light up a room.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:42 pm

Ok that`s it, this thread isn`t about propane stoves or lanterns.
Hope ya enjoyed the thread.

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu Mar 11, 2021 1:59 pm

I know. Just drifted a bit. Those old Coleman stoves and lanterns still work the way they were neant to work. Burning a mantle was sort of a fun project as a kid. Watching the line climb up the mantle always held my attention.

piller · Post by **piller** » Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:42 am

Watching an episode of Hogan's Heroes titled It Takes A Thief. There is a scene where the Underground is in a barn with what looks like a red Coleman lantern with a frosted globe. Looks to be a single mantle one from the size.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:06 pm

No worries, made a wrench for the 520 as they are impossible to find it snaps into a clip on one of the uprights.
On another upright is a tube with all necessary items to fix the lantern.
Tried it out with some hash for lunch.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:16 pm

I've still got the same Coleman lantern I've had since the 1960'swhen my dad gave it to me used. Not sure how long he had it, but he bought a camp trailer and gave me the lantern after that. It still works great, and I've only put ne mantels on it occasionally.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:34 am

Thanks the old ones are getting expensive, like the model 200A.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:25 pm

Added a WW1 meat can and WW2 mess kit to my collection and a primitive can opener.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:55 pm

I've never seen that type of can opener before, does it work OK ? Cool mess kit...

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 4:01 pm

Thanks John, i made the can opener the idea is ya stick the point in the center of the can then adjust the blade to the edge push it in then turn and cut the end out.
I need to make the blade shorter, it worked but could be better.

piller · Post by **piller** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 4:18 pm

Things like that were useful. The electric can openers we have now would have not worked in WWII. No electricity on the battlefields. The manual ones from the kitchen gadget section of a store might have worked. I am not too sure that they would have stood up to the rough use. That one you made looks sturdy enough to stand up to anything.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 4:18 pm

I shortened the blade and it works pretty dern good.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:19 pm

Need a video of the can opener, thats a great tool!

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:23 pm

Need a video of the can opener, thats a great tool!

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:43 am

Thanks Todd, it`s kind of a touchy thing i think the more modern ones do a better job like the little military ones that work in a similar way.
There are some can openers that have a blade on the side and ya can find ones just like this one, i have another opener coming that was used in WW1 called a Bully beef tin opener that`s pretty cool.

Video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC2-e_-b8-U

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:29 am

Got the Bully beef tin opener today.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld ... 3iWT0OWDGw

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 2:26 pm

Cool looking can opener

I wonder when they started putting the opener key on the can..

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:14 pm

Thanks John, i can always count on you.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:21 pm

Well I'll be! First time I ever saw that Bully Beef can opener.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:24 pm

Thanks my friend Bill, it`s new to me also.
I have another very unique one coming i`m looking forward to, no matter how old we get there`s always something new to learn.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:03 pm

Got another can opener today.
Video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KzXpwi8hFM

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:39 pm

Some weird and wonderful contraptions designed just for taking the top off a can... I'd hate to have rely on the can opener on my Swiss Army knife, it does work but definitely not user friendly.