Curious large brass item

[cudamark]

I found this 2 feet down at the beach in the wet sand. My best guess is that it's part of a compass (or gauge) gimbal off a boat. The brass ring wasn't attached, but, was in the same hole. It seems to fit on the side of the tube. The pointed end seems to be solid, but, I haven't been able to see if it's removable yet. The other end unthreads from the tube and has 3 set screws. Any other ideas or confirmation of my guess?

 

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[Tpmetal]

Beats me, but a very very interesting piece

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Might be part of a gimbaled lamp.

 

[cudamark]

Maybe..... Did they make oil lamps like that on a boat? You wouldn't need to gimbal an electric lamp, and a gas lamp would need a supply line, which would interfere with the movement.

 

[sutphin]

NEEEET FIND...

 

[Engineer in MD]

Gimbal lamp is also my opinion. They were used on boats, ships, train cars, stage coaches, etc. Basically anything that moved. They were used with gas, oil, kerosene, and candles. That ring you found with it has 3 knobs. One is for attaching to the lamp body and the other 2 (180 degrees apart from each other) are the gimbal pivot points. That ring would be held by the base of the lamp.
What does the end of the lamp look like?
It may have a chamber to hold oil or kerosene or a base to hold a candle. Maybe something to hold a glass globe.

Very cool find. Congrats!


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[taz42o]

Candle holder.

 

[cudamark]

Candle holder.

Great! That's it! I did notice there was something "gooey" in the base (top?) It seemed more like plumbers putty, but, now that I inspect more closely, it probably is old wax. Any idea as to age?

 

[taz42o]

Not sure, it is listed as 1800s.


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