Posted 9 years ago
Bottlebutler
(5 items)
Attic find... I was just wondering if anyone could give any info on this lantern. I think it's a bicycle lantern from late 1800's to early 1900's but I've also seen similar railroad related lanterns. It seems to be missing a piece at the rear of it, between the wire handles.
This is a policemans 'dark' lantern. When lit the inner shutter could be moved across the lens to darken without extinguishing the flame. It is missing a tab between the handles for a belt hook. The lamp is missing the fuel font and burner. The burner could be kerosene or more likely whale oil.
Thank you slackjack.
WOW! SlackJack knows his stuff! I love that!
Is that a magnifying glass at thew front? Hard to tell. I love the air vents at the top!
After slackjack solved my mystery I did some research on my own and found that it is also called bullseye dark lantern, or bullseye candle lantern. The bullseye is referring to the lens that is designed to direct light similar to a flash light.
I have the same one, only brass and with the interior oil/wick apparatus. Thank you all for clarifying what it is! Any idea how old?