Nautical signal? Can anyone help with some information?

[GiMortal5]

I found this item at a yard sale. It is either oil or kerosene burner with a red and green lens on the side. It has a clear lens on the front and a place for a glass on top like an oil lamp.
Does anyone know what this is?
Patented June 4, 1895. I believe this once is from 1897.

 

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[Molewacker]

I agree - ship running light! I see the required red/green with a forward white that looks like it swivels?

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Awesome find!

 

[agflit]

Unless I miss my guess..thats a marine nautical mast light.

In 1838 the United States passed an act requiring steamboats running between sunset and sunrise to carry one or more signal lights; color, visibility and location were not specified. In 1848 the United Kingdom passed regulations that required steam vessels to display red and green sidelights as well as a white masthead light. In 1849 the U.S. Congress extended the light requirements to sailing vessels. In 1889 the United States convened the first International Maritime Conference to consider regulations for preventing collisions. The resulting Washington Conference Rules were adopted by the U.S in 1890 and became effective internationally in 1897. Within these rules was the requirement for steamships to carry a second mast head light. The international 1948 Safety of Life at Sea Conference recommended a mandatory second masthead light solely for power driven vessels over 150 feet in length and a fixed sternlight for almost all vessels. The regulations have changed little since then


I'd suspect this may be a pariffin lamp...very possibly used by a crewman positioned at the bow...may have been mast mounted as well. JMO.