Need some help with identification of this object.

mk76

Greenie
Apr 30, 2019
11
24
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Hi, I don't know what this could be I tried many guesses but none of which seems to be correct. Maybe you could help me a bit with the purpose of this object. It appears to have no markings whatsoever and is made of brass I guess.

So far what I figured out is that this is a burner/torch/lamp of some kind. Looking at the back (photo with my thumb) we can see two valves to regulate air/fuel intake (left/right) I reckon, and a top opening to put the fuel in and a handle to hold it, maybe on the height of your eyes, that's why the piece of glass is there.

In the other photo what you can see is a big round cover that unscrews, you can find some gunk there as if some burnt remains of something. The top portion is a kind of a grill divided in half by the latch of some kind, the latch can be lifted up freely, there is no locking mechanism of any sort.

So whatever it is, clearly, the glass opening and the big plate was to protect the person who was looking at the flame, or through the flame?, maybe.

I'd appreciate any help guys.


lamp1.jpglamp2.jpg
 

Just tidying up some blasts from the past (including some very ancient ones), largely for the benefit of anyone searching the site for information.

Yes, it is a carbide lamp burner, missing its reflector. Similar to these, both from Glasgow companies:

Navigation1.jpg

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/26373049_telford-grier-and-mackay-and-co-glasgow-early-brass

Navigation2.jpg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39516748...55-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

Both of these companies manufactured specialist lamps for nautical use. They date from the late 1800s through to the early 1900s. Burners like this produced a very bright light and would have sat inside the lamp housing with coloured glass filters to designate port and starboard, or as white lights on the masthead, to give navigational visibility to other vessels.
 

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