Coleman 442 Aluminum Suitcase

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by marblecreek, Apr 24, 2010.

  1. marblecreek

    marblecreek Subscriber

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    A Coleman suitcase 442 arrived in the mail today. According to the reference gallery, Coleman only made an aluminum stove of this ilk for one year: 1963. Stove had no dents and minor rust on part of the burner assembly. After major scrubbing to remove layers of baked on grease and some minor fettling, all is good. No dents or structural problems. The stove is significantly lighter than similar models with the steel case. The relatively light weight is what made this particular model of interest to me. A few interesting features of this stove are:

    1. The two "wings" that act as a wind shield are made of aluminum rather than steel.
    2. The "feet" are also aluminum and pull downward from the stove (see picture). They are surprisingly sturdy.
    3. The fuel tank is larger than that of a 425D; it is the same size as my three-burner beast.

    Maybe one of the experts on the site knows the history of this stove; why it was introduced in the first place and why it was only made for one year?

    Cheers,
    Steve
    1272146965-colemanfull.jpg 1272146977-colemancover.jpg 1272146984-Colemanleg.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 26, 2015
  2. Matukat

    Matukat Subscriber

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    Very nice! No help with the history, but I sure like the stove!
     
  3. Knight84

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    Nice stove Steve!

    I don't know about the history either.

    But I believe it didn't sell as Coleman hoped. The weight savings would be great but it is a large stove still and wouldn't be used by backpackers. Do car campers care how much their suitcase stove weighs. I don't think so. Cars of the time proved that.

    So why use aluminum? It doesn't rust. I would buy it but I believe these came at a higher price tag. Coleman at the time was still recovering from the whole 501 and 501A problem. I would guess they wouldn't want to risk losing any more money on a stove that isn't selling. Just my thoughts.

    Cheers,
    Jeff
     
  4. DavidOR

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    I just posted a link in Auction Watch to a quickly closing 3 burner.
     
  5. Lance

    Lance Subscriber

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    Steve that stove is the same size as a 413. That is the reason for the larger tank. Good stoves those.

    lance
     
  6. marblecreek

    marblecreek Subscriber

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    Thanks for sharing your information and throughts about the stove. I noticed that the referenced 443 went for $5 plus $40 shipping. Probably not too bad a deal. One thing that I was wrong about in my original post; the legs are not aluminum but steel.

    Steve
     
  7. vogey75 United States

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    I'm new to this site and appreciate the information I have recently found here when researching my newly acquired aluminum suitcase stove similar to marblecreek's. Pictures included here. Does anybody know how rare this might be and should I hang onto it?
    20191104_210617_resized.jpg 20191104_210707_resized.jpg 20191104_210713_resized.jpg 20191104_210922_resized.jpg 20191104_211003_resized.jpg 20191104_210653_resized.jpg 20191104_211016_resized.jpg
     
  8. Haggis

    Haggis Subscriber

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    I’d hang on to it, if only for the novelty... It’s a swell add to any collection...

    I have a Coleman 459 that I keep for that reason... It’s rarer still than the aluminum stoves,,, it was made but a few months.

    D140B96E-A67F-46EE-BE34-339A7100A48A.jpeg
     
  9. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    It was mass marketed, but only for a few years, so in that sense it's rare. I would hang on to it, but then I'm a stove collector. But if you're asking if you should hang on to it as, say, part of your retirement portfolio, then I would say no.

    ....Arch
     
  10. vogey75 United States

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    Thanks Haggis for the input and dates. At this point I'll hang onto it and enjoy the conversation.
     
  11. vogey75 United States

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    Thanks Arch. Good way to word it. It's sentimental and makes for a good conversation adding this to the collection.
     
  12. ArchMc

    ArchMc SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Glad to hear it. Those are nice user stoves.

    And welcome to CCS.

    ....Arch