Very old ships Lantern

[The Patriot]

Well I received this from my father who found them in his house which was built in 1850 by an old sea captain, whose father was also an old sea captain…I've this to the Antiques Roadshow and other appraisers who didn't really seem to know what they were looking at and giving me dates which ran from the late 1700's to the mid 1800's… Has anyone ever seen something close to it? The lantern is run off of Butane with water being added and has port and starboard lights along with the magnified centre glass piece… as you can see it has been hand stamped, stands 14" tall…Any information would be greatly appreciated…Thanks

 

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[BC1969]

Well I looked around, I couldn't find pics, but I found one on eBay that has the same stamping, and height.
RARE Antique 3 Light Marine Navagation Light 1895 1920 REDUCED | eBay

I'll search more later, maybe I'll find it.
Mike

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Probaby run off calcium carbide (acetylene is produced when mixed with water). That makes it post 1890 or so.

 

[ARC]

tis a rare one

 

[The Patriot]

Thanks Mike, I'll try to get a hold of seller for his pics...I'll keep you posted...

 

[BC1969]

It sure is nice by the way. I'm guessing it is very rare since I couldn't really find out much about it.

Mike

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Might not have caught on, as with the large white spotlight the port and starboard lights would be near impossible to make out.

This would probably have been for something small enough that multiple lights weren't practical. I'm guessing this was for a smaller pilot cutter or launch that went out to meet the larger ships and needed the forward white light to spot the place to tie up alongside while the pilot was transferred aboard. Just a very wild arse guess. Normally a ship or sailboat under power shows a white steaming light way up high on a mast (and large motor vessels/ships have a mast just for this) and the nav lights (red/green) are displayed well below it and on either side of the bow.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Here are two different solar model carbide lamps for a bicycle (Badger Mfg.) Nothing at all like yours except in concept.

Vintage Badger Brass MTG Co Solar Carbide Bicycle Lamp | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Bad...05&prg=11385&rk=2&rkt=6&sd=161307663694&rt=nc