There is already so much information available to collectors of American lanterns that I felt it would be redundant for me to highlight all the American lanterns that I have in my collection.
My Marswell Kerosene lantern, though, deserve a few words.
My first lantern was a Marswell Cold Blast no. 2. A very long time ago, loggers/miner had made camp near John Day, Oregon and hung this lantern on a small Juniper tree. When they left camp later on, they had forgotten it. Over all the years, the Juniper tree grew very tall. Then, a few years ago it was spotted up in the tree by loggers in the area. They managed to cut it out of the tree and it came to be in my possession. The 'fossilized' remnants of the leaves of the tree are forever embedded in the fount of the lantern.
I now own three, fully restored, Marswell Lanterns. Given that I am originally from Minnesota and have long resided in Portland, Oregon, the Marswell Lantern takes on a special meaning. *This first Marswell currently is at home hanging on the side of a Prairie Schooner.
Brief History of Marshall-Wells (Marswell)
1893—The Marshall-Wells Hardware Company is established when Albert Marshall, of Duluth, Minnesota, buys the Chapin-Wells Hardware Company, also of Duluth and gives the new business a new name. This is a wholesale company dealing in hardware, saddlery, paints, and mining and railroad supplies.
In 1901, Marshall-Wells, a chain store from Minnesota, opened its west coast branch at SW 4th & Pine, Portland, Oregon. A second warehouse was built in 1910 where it still remains today and is a Historical Landmark.
CIRCA: LATE 1930's-40's
Mel-Owner (Tuesday, 07 November 2023 07:39)
Hello Dawn,
This was made sometime during the late 1930's - 40's.
Dawn (Monday, 06 November 2023 13:46)
What year was this made?
shellywilder4@gmail.com (Monday, 19 June 2023 23:58)
Thank you for all your information on this lantern I have a number 2 .
Danny Moffitt (Monday, 16 January 2023 09:30)
E- mail...jeno336@bellsouth.net....I have a marswell lantern along with a hundred or so other lanterns..From looking at the Lantern it is very simular to a Defiance or Embury. Im thinking Marshall and Wells probably contracted the manufactoring to one or both these companies.
Mel-Owner (Tuesday, 03 January 2023 12:38)
Hello Jean,
Please use the main contact form and then we can see what you have.
Mel
Jean Hunt (Tuesday, 03 January 2023 12:31)
I recently acquired several vintage lanterns on a 150 yr old property in Calif. - owners not interested in any of the items and so we're trying to find values. We have one Cold Blast No. 2 Marswells lantern but it has a deep red globe. All in perfect condition except for a few dents on the bottom metal ring. Looking for price to sell... if you can help. Thanks. Can text pics to a cell if that would help.
Mel - Owner (Sunday, 01 November 2020)
Hello John,
The globe that fits the Marswell Lantern is also the same size as the #850 Dietz D-lite globe. This is the same size as the Feuerhand Nr. 260/280 globe also. You can find the Dietz globe on Ebay or at W.T. Kirkman's website.
John Stegmaier (Sunday, 01 November 2020 08:05)
We just found one of these lanterns while cleaning out my father-in-law‘s house. The glass is broken. Is there a way to get replacement glass casing? My email is coachsteggy@gmail.com
Mel - Owner (Sunday, 11 October 2020 17:50)
Hello Denise,
Most of the information you are looking for is above in the description. The lanterns were not specifically used for logging. Mine was, but there were used as regular lanterns by everyone. Condition dictates how much value it has. I see the Marswell lanterns for anywhere in a range of $20.00 - $50.00. If you have more specific questions, please use the main contact form as this area is for general comments only.
Denise (Saturday, 10 October 2020 18:58)
I have a Marswells #2 Cold Blast trying to sell for an ex-logger friend. All intact & original as far as I can tell, but needs a bit loosening up on the 'wick-moving knob'
Any idea as to it's manufacturing year and worth? Were these made originally for the logging industry?
Thank you much!
Lori (Monday, 31 August 2020 15:43)
I have a Marswells 2 cold blast lantern what year is it from?
Mel-Owner (Tuesday, 08 January 2019 17:44)
Hi Carl,
Can you use the main contact form and then we can see what you have?
Carl (Tuesday, 08 January 2019 17:27)
I have one for sale if you would like another it is complete glass is good
Mel-Owner (Sunday, 23 December 2018 08:42)
Hi Jim, It's possible that a fuel cap from an Embury might fit. You can email me directly by using the main contact form. Then I can give you some more possible options.
James schwartz jr (Sunday, 23 December 2018 07:46)
I have a Mars well 2 coldblast it has the cap missing on the kerosene resistor. Are there any replacements to be had? Thanks
Mel-Owner (Friday, 10 August 2018 13:47)
You are very welcome Mark. If you would like to contact me directly, please use the CONTACT link (Lower left navigation bar). That way, I can email you back personally. I'd love to see your lantern.
Mel
Mark E. (Friday, 10 August 2018 13:10)
Great. Thanks for the quick response!!
Mel-Owner (Thursday, 09 August 2018 18:53)
Hi Mark,
Yes, you can purchase a clear globe that will fit your Marswell lantern from Woody Kirkman. It won't be as heavy duty
as the original, but it will work. Make sure you order the one that is totally clear and not marked Dietz on it. They are the same size, but you just don't want the word "Dietz" on your globe. Just my opinion. :)
Here is the link to the main website: https://www.lanternnet.com/
Here is the link to the globe you need to order: https://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WKL&Product_Code=Dietz850Globe&Category_Code=
He has his own colored versions also: https://www.lanternnet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WKL&Product_Code=WTK850Globe&Category_Code=
Let me know how it turns out!
Mark E. (Thursday, 09 August 2018 18:13)
Hi there. My folks just gave us a Marswells no 2 cold shot lantern. Unfortunately, the globe is cracked and I’d like to replace it so the lantern could be used. Do you have any idea where I could purchase said globe?
Thanks,
Mark