What is it?

[Redeemed Restorations]

I purchased this today in a lot of other lanterns. Found in a barn in southern Oklahoma. Does anyone know what this is?

There is a lantern inside that is a 1950’s Coleman 200A. It looks like it started out red and was painted black. There are 2 globes. An inner and an outer. It weighs around 15 to 20 lbs. The assembly with the 2 globes is made of metal and can be removed.

Any help is appreciated in identifying this. Thanks in advance.

[JimL]

You got an uncommon and very desirable military infrared lantern.

[WYSIWYG]

Infrared !!!!

[Gavercronos]

That is an Infrared. the DOD made an unknown number of them for marking runways in the dark, with "invisible" light (A filter that is almost always missing would block out the visible spectrum). Expect to get a bunch of messages from lurkers here about it.

[Redeemed Restorations]

I appreciate the help and look forward to the lurkers. It’s a very interesting looking piece and I’d like to know more about it.

[Mcnairy]

More info here: Coleman US lanterns 1946 – 1960 – The Terrence Marsh Lantern Gallery
https://terry-marsh.com/coleman-us-lanterns-1946-1960/

Great find!

[JimL]

Those lurkers will be trying to convince you to part with it.

A few years back, on Facebook someone from the CIA said that lantern could be seen from 50' away. I pointed out that if a plane could only be see it from 50' away, it was on the way to the crash site.

[bowenstudios]

Well that’s a nice score! Congrats sir!!!

[macwacs]

Fantastic find!!!!!!
RMW

[Redeemed Restorations]

I bought the lot of 7 lanterns mostly for the 202 that can be seen in the background. There was also a 1958 military lantern in there that I wanted because it had the wrench in it still. This infrared monster was thrown in almost as an afterthought. If it would have raised the price any, I wouldn’t even have gotten it. I’m glad I did now.

I’m still researching it. One guy on YouTube says there were only around 30 made. He was attempting to sell his and trying emphasize the rarity of it though, so who knows.

I’m not sure if I’ll keep it or not. I do want to see it run though. After that, you may see it on our classifieds board here or maybe eBay. I’m not really a collector, although I do have some pretty neat Coleman things that aren’t for sale. I mostly like just restoring them and putting them back in service again. Sometimes customizing them. This doesn’t seem like a very good candidate for customization or even an amateur restoration.

[CaptainFantastic]

Keep it. Although by now your inbox will be flooded with offers.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Moses_Yoder]

to me this is a typical fishing expedition. You looked it up and you knew what you had but pretended you didn't know. Now the offers are flooding in

[Redeemed Restorations]

to me this is a typical fishing expedition. You looked it up and you knew what you had but pretended you didn't know. Now the offers are flooding in

And to me, you are completely wrong. I had no idea what it was even called to be able to look it up before I was told here. And now, even after knowing what it is, the only places I’ve been able to “look it up” is the links provided here and a few YouTube videos I’ve found from a Google search.

I do fish often. Only in the water though. Not on the internet.

[gpaguy]

I would think that there are more than 30 of these lanterns based on how many have been found in my tenure as a collector.
I have one like it here

[Mcnairy]

.

I’m not sure if I’ll keep it or not. I do want to see it run though. After that, you may see it on our classifieds board here or maybe eBay. I’m not really a collector, although I do have some pretty neat Coleman things that aren’t for sale. I mostly like just restoring them and putting them back in service again. Sometimes customizing them. This doesn’t seem like a very good candidate for customization or even an amateur restoration.

We like them all and would enjoy photos of any of your collection. I have my favorites which changes occasionally. Come to think of it, I even have several that put out invisible light. Mostly because i cant find time to fettle them!

[Cottage_hill_bill]

The project to develop these lanterns was called Operation Diogenes (if you don't understand the name look up Diogenes). Here is a link to the CIA report on the lanterns.
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CI ... 0029-1.pdf

Terry Marsh has done a lot of research on these and wrote an article for The Coleman Light on them.

[Kgam1020]

Fantastic find! Congrats! I saw one at a recent gathering that I went to, they are heavy suckers! If I came across one, it would be staying in my collection.

[Moses_Yoder]

to me this is a typical fishing expedition. You looked it up and you knew what you had but pretended you didn't know. Now the offers are flooding in

And to me, you are completely wrong. I had no idea what it was even called to be able to look it up before I was told here. And now, even after knowing what it is, the only places I’ve been able to “look it up” is the links provided here and a few YouTube videos I’ve found from a Google search.

I do fish often. Only in the water though. Not on the internet.

In that case I apologize. It is just that I see that done so often in the various forums I am in for lanterns, cast iron, etc.

[Tgarner01]

If you weren't a collector before, you are now Great find!

[rob_pontius]

Welcome to the madness from north central Indiana. The infrared lanterns are cool pieces. Plenty of collectors in my area have them, some even have multiples. I wish that I were one of them. It seems that they're never found with all 4 lenses still intact. I know that a few have been found, but not many. Congratulations on a really cool find. Some day I may get lucky and get my hands on one as well.

[critmass_34]

That's an amazing score. Congratulations.

[Old Cat]

Welcome to the forum. Congratulations on finding an interesting piece of history.

[JimL]

>>One guy on YouTube says there were only around 30 made.

They're not THAT uncommon. A part-time member here bought his fourth one at a Gettysburg gathering a few years ago from another member here.

[RR_RES]

There's an article in the January 2007 The Coleman Light.

[Redeemed Restorations]

>>One guy on YouTube says there were only around 30 made.

They're not THAT uncommon. A part-time member here bought his fourth one at a Gettysburg gathering a few years ago from another member here.

Thanks Jim. I appreciate everyone’s information here. I figured the YouTube guy was adding his own spin to it by the way he talked it up and then asked for offers. That’s why I tried to relay his intent and possible motives. You guys are an outstanding source of information and I appreciate it.

[1969BuickGS]

Below are pictures of mine with the infrared lens still intact, and with a FLIR camera on left next to a 202 on right for reference.

[Crestliner]