So I’m still new to stoves, but in finding this at today’s market it decided to follow me home. Looks like a Coleman M1950? It’s been repainted so I can’t make out all the stampings but there’s a clear ‘US’ with ‘Col….’ underneath it. If the ‘Col…’ is Coleman I found it strange that it’s written in italics? Also strange that if it is 60’s it was still being used and serviced in ‘97? Will likely strip the paint so any advice on this appreciated, which will also then likely reveal more on model and year.
That will be interesting @Buckaroo . As for ongoing service- yes, the Army works that way. I had an ex-Army ambulance that was only sold late 90s but which was in service from the early 60s. And stoves are easily serviced. It would be a change of plan for cooking rather than a lack of parts that would see it retired. The US military was buying new ones through the 1980s. Assuming it is all correct, that stove might have been part of every active deployment of Australian troops from production to retirement. Be a little cautious removing paint. Both layers are part of its story! The typeface does not match early Coleman M1950s but Aussie equipment often had slightly different markings- the pot set for this simply had the broad arrow, while American versions had manufacturer and year of production. PS Australia had Coleman manufacturing here in this era, so assembly and stamping could, possibly, be local.
Just checked my 1950s Coleman Australia lantern- Coleman is inscribed very similarly to other stoves, not similar to the "Cole" on this.
Thanks @Scrambler , I’d never even consider removing paint from a lantern, so perhaps I should keep it as is for now while I grow a little more attached to stoves! Might regret it at a later time. I would like to reveal the stampings / inscriptions though.
@Buckaroo That is a US-made M1950. The stampings will give you the manufacturer, and possibly the date of manufacture. These stoves were not made in Australia, but used by Australian defence forces at home and abroad. I have one with that same service tag. Cheers Tony
Thanks Tony - I found another with the italic ‘Coleman’ lettering on the forum. Posted above but still pending moderator approval
Buckaroo, not sure if you’re familiar but there is a spare parts well built in to the pump. Pull up the pump rod and hold the tube still (rod), unscrew the lever. It’s inside there. Might just find an extra pip, pump leather and seal. Maybe even a generator. They originally came with another generator clipped on side of support and a wrench, both of which are visible in the example you posted of the 1966 version.
@Tony Press This is the first Coleman built M1950 that I have seen with Australian Army provenance. Have I just missed these before now? Or might this have been acquired in field?
Thanks @TSPORT , I’d read about a parts well but didn’t know where it was! Extra generator (complete with gauze and needle), pump cup and graphite packing.
@Scrambler I’ve seen a few - enough to make me think they were issued to, rather than “acquired” by, Australian service personnel. I’ve got a few rattling around my shed that I’ll take a closer look at. Tony
You’re welcome! Who’d think there was storage inside there? Amazing how well that little tube preserves the parts. They look like the day they were put in there.
@Buckaroo See this post: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/service-tag-dod-australia-m1950.49319/ Your stove was from the 4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. @Scrambler I think we can be sure the M1950 was DoD issue. Cheers Tony
