Rare Dietz Comet "Lone Ranger" Lantern For Sale

A rare promotional version of the Dietz Comet lantern, useful for camping

Made in USA

Vintage antique

Globe marked "H-3"

Dietz Comet:

The Dietz Comet lantern was first introduced in 1934 for the export market in a bright tin finish, but was not officially listed in the Dietz U.S. Price List until 1950.  At 8 1/2" tall, it was the smallest cold blast lantern made by Dietz.  During  World War II when tin plate was in short supply, the Comet was produced in raw terne plate, then with gray enamel over terne plate, which around 1950 gave way to the standard enamel finishes, Red and Blue over tin plate.  (The most common finish of the 1950's was red.)  By 1955 the Comet was marketed as the Official Scout Lantern.   Patent and production dates were stamped in to the upper part of the right air tube of the Comet up to 1956.  (The production date appears as the month and year after the "S" under the patent dates.)  A variation from the 1950's that is highly desirable is The Lone Ranger version, which with the original box with graphics is valued at several times the market value of the regular model.   A battery powered "toy" version was introduced in the 1950's and 1960's, and was sold in three finishes;  Fire Engine Red, Bulldozer Yellow, and Locomotive Black, with either clear or red lacquered globes.  The battery powered version was not stamped with patent or production numbers.  Production of the Comet remained in the USA until 1970 when the last Dietz lantern production in Syracuse ceased.  The tooling was then relocated to the Dietz factory in Hong Kong that was established in 1956, and the tooling was revised with the model number "50" and "Made in Hong Kong" on the bottom of the tank.  In 1976, a Bicentennial version was produced with a black with brass trim finish, with eagle and "United States 1776-1976" decals.  The Dietz factory in Hong Kong was relocated to China in 1988, and the tooling was again revised eliminating the Hong Kong marking.

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