Self Heating Iron Appraisal

Vintage Coleman Self-Heating Liquid Fuel Iron

This is a vintage self-heating iron, likely a Coleman Model 4, dating from the early to mid-20th century, approximately 1920s to 1940s. The iron features a heavy cast-metal base with a nickel or chrome-plated finish, designed to retain heat efficiently. A distinctive natural wood handle is mounted on a metal bracket for insulation, showing significant smoothing and darkening from years of hand contact. The body includes a filler cap and a valve mechanism on the top surface, typical of pressurized gasoline or kerosene irons of this era. The metal plating exhibits a dark, authentic patina with scattered surface oxidation, pitting, and some loss of luster, particularly along the lower edge of the soleplate. At the rear, there is a prominent metal heel rest/stand and the fuel intake assembly. The overall craftsmanship is industrial and robust, reflecting a period transitioning from manual fire-heated sad irons to more portable, self-contained heating technology. No significant structural damage is visible beyond typical age-related wear and corrosion.