What's this and do I need it?

Coleman:

Is it some sort of natural or propane heater?

yeah, definitely a gas heater.

wait. strike that. looks like maybe oil heater...

now I'm in the wrong danged forum for something like this, lol.

Yep, "you're FIRED" for putting this in the wrong place.
I say get it and study it until you know what it is. Then, sell it.
HTH
I like spending other's money.

I actually left it on site and it's about 30 miles away, so maybe they'll be selling it next year. I really should have just bought it. I think they wanted like $15 for it or something. Every labor day there is a small engine and tractor show and the town has a huge citywide yard sale thing. Hopefully nobody else bought it.

Looks alot like the drip-type fuel oil heater my father used to heat his shop many years ago. Thanks- that brought back some fond memories.

Yep, looks like an old oil heater to me. Those things show up on CL pretty often. I can't remember what they ask for them though.

Here you go. Looks like its a Coleman Model 871.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OLD...FURNACE-35000-BTU-1940S-W-BONUS-/230692825899

That is exactly it. your google-foo skills are strong.

35,000BTUs? What the heck?!?!? I DO need that for the shop. Dang, man.

Couldn't ya' just kick yourself?

i think that would look cool all painted with gloss red engine enamel out in my shop.

FYI, looks like heater does not have the 2.5-3 gallon tank on the back. However the line is there. Throttle valve has 1 to 5 setting, 1 will run me out of my garage in about an hr...