Posted 3 years ago
sunnyjim
(1 item)
I searched until I was blue in the face. Never found an implement that came close to matching these. They can't be a "one off" because there are two variations of design ~ but both with a different style clamp that, at rest, measures approx 3/4" diameter. Each has a hook that rises from the base of the clamp. Each has a looped handle and a skewer looking somewhat like the pointed end of a bayonet. Could be for meat? I'm stumped. These measure 10.5 inches in length and have no foundry or maker's marks. I know others must exist out there - can you help identify these? Thanks! Sunnyjim
Miner’s candle holder
"Miners usually carried three candles. Two
were kept in his bootleg, and the third was
used in a glass lantern while carried
through drafty mine shafts. At his work
station, the miner took the candle from
the lantern and inserted it into a wroughtiron
holder just like the one pictured. The
holder was then inserted spike-end first
into the rock face or a nearby timber. The
candle maker at each mine was called the
chandler. The miner’s three candles
provided about ten hours of light.
Sometimes miners hung their lunch
buckets over the candle flame on the wall
to keep their lunches hot."
Here's the link with that info..
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://t2.gstatic.com/images?q%3Dtbn:ANd9GcT6K3aeX7g6NLQ-9eTGFkrsXNyEeivS-HLyZfjNztn2UkHV7X0H&imgrefurl=https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2017/miningartifacts.pdf&h=473&w=545&tbnid=Dkze95MtSbIKJM&tbnh=209&tbnw=241&osm=1&hcb=1&source=lens-native&usg=AI4_-kR_9bZ4tVZrz5tEBgNlFNTeRQfS4Q&ved=0ELLNBQgAKAAwAA&docid=KXJFnij9xT2BLM
Wow! Thank you dav2no1 !! I knew someone must have the answer! Mystery revealed. Really appreciate your help and I can pronounce this "SOLVED".