Large Brass Lamp

steelheadwill · Jul 17, 2011

This item seems a bit unusual.
dug a deep signal in the mud, got the overload warning.
was hunting in knee deep water, so I started blindly excavating by hand and
recovered this intact.
can't find a match anywhere... 'Student lamps' seem to be the only ones with remote fuel reservoirs.
I don't know what fuel it used, I see lard, vapor, oil, whale oil, and kerosene,
no matches from fuel type :icon_scratch:

only markings are 'close the valve after filling'
I think I know the person who has some information on this one :help:

Best digs all :wink:

NOLA_Ken · Jul 17, 2011

Awesome lamp, I'd be interested to know what it turns out to be as well.

TommNJ · Jul 17, 2011

Pretty Cool Lamp :icon_thumright:

TommNJ

HISPAN · Jul 17, 2011

Interesting lamp, and never seen anything like it. :icon_scratch:

H

steelheadwill · Jul 18, 2011

Thanks All !!
I got a feeling the lamp Expert will chime in soon !! HH :thumbsup:

creskol · Jul 18, 2011

I think your lamp is actually an old carbide gas table lamp, and probably looked similar to the reconstructions below.

steelheadwill · Jul 19, 2011

creskol said:
I think your lamp is actually an old carbide gas table lamp, and probably looked similar to the reconstructions below.

Nice work as always! Carbide like in the old miners lamps, mixed two ingredients to make acetylene gas.
Great photoshop restoration :wink:

I have only gotten to enhancing, layers & such are beyond me :tongue3:

ANTIQUARIAN · Jul 19, 2011

Hi Herbie!

Just back from my vacation and viewed your very interesting and nearly complete find! What you have there is a Kerosene Student Lamp. These were manufactured by a number of American and English companies. This type of lamp started being made around 1875 and is still in production today, but in an electrified version.

One of the most popular American manufactures of the Kerosene Student Lamps was the Manhattan Brass Company.

The Manhattan Brass Company began in 1865 in New York City. It is notable because it was the only brass manufacturer prior to 1900 that was established without a direct connection to the brass mills of Connecticut's Naugatuck Valley. While it had no ties to the Conn. makers, Manhattan Brass did choose to follow the pricing guidelines established by the Conn. firms. Manhattan Brass did not enter the market as a producer or roller of brass for market, rather it produced what it needed for the re-manufacture of it's own wares. From an 1884 company billhead, "Manhattan Brass Company, Sheet Brass, Wire & Tube Works, Manufacturers - Lamps and Lamp Goods, office and works, 1st Avenue 27th to 28th Streets, New York." The company is probably most recognized for it's production of student lamps. Manhattan Brass manufactured quality brass bicycle lamps and flat-wick burners as well. Their line of Perfection Student lamps consisted of a variety of sizes (utilizing seven and ten inch shades) in single and double configurations, wall-mounted lamps, and more. Manhattan Brass Company student lamps are readily identified by their spiral burner tube - one actually twists the burner to raise or lower the wick. In May, 1926, the Manhattan Brass Company sold its plant and went into voluntary liquidation.

Here's how a Carbide Gas Lamp worked.

Water in the top chamber drips onto carbide fuel in the lower chamber which produces acetylene gas. A small amount of pressure builds up to push gas through the orifice creating light. Brightness is controlled by a valve that regulates how fast the water drips from upper to lower chamber.

Hope this information helps . . . talk to you later Herbie!
Dave

steelheadwill · Jul 20, 2011

Your the Man :notworthy:

I guess this was the 'Economy' version of your first pic..
I'm amazed at the items people disposed of in the water,
I rooted around in the mud searching for the glass, I am thinking that part broke, & that's why it got tossed :icon_scratch:

Many Thanks, & HH to You :thumbsup:

crazyjarhead · Jul 20, 2011

That is one unique find, Herb. Maybe you can get that restored. I bet you won't find many of those around anymore.

Bavaria Mike · Jul 20, 2011

Interesting find for sure! HH, Mike

ANTIQUARIAN · Jul 20, 2011

steelheadwill said:
Your the Man
I guess this was the 'Economy' version of your first pic..
I'm amazed at the items people disposed of in the water,
I rooted around in the mud searching for the glass, I am thinking that part broke, & that's why it got tossed
Many Thanks, & HH to You

You're welcome, always willing to help ID oil lamps!

You're right about this being the "economy version" these lamps came in many shapes and styles. I'd normally look forward to any lamp restoration challenge, but yours is pretty far gone . . . sorry buddy! :'(

Hope to get out for a hunt tomorrow afternoon, even in this heat!

My wife and daughter are off to a local water park and I never like to miss an opportunity to hunt! :thumbsup:

Take care Herbie,
Dave

steelheadwill · Jul 21, 2011

ANTIQUARIAN said:
steelheadwill said:

Your the Man
I guess this was the 'Economy' version of your first pic..
I'm amazed at the items people disposed of in the water,
I rooted around in the mud searching for the glass, I am thinking that part broke, & that's why it got tossed
Many Thanks, & HH to You

Click to expand...

You're welcome, always willing to help ID oil lamps! You're right about this being the "economy version" these lamps came in many shapes and styles. I'd normally look forward to any lamp restoration challenge, but yours is pretty far gone . . . sorry buddy!

Hope to get out for a hunt tomorrow afternoon, even in this heat! My wife and daughter are off to a local water park and I never like to miss an opportunity to hunt!

Take care Herbie,
Dave