Primitive Whale Oil Lamp?

[spudnutt]

Anybody ever seen one like this?
Im pretty sure its an oil lamp of some sort.
The bladder bottom measures about 2 inches in diameter.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[pippinwhitepaws]

I would call it an opium pipe.

opium pipe - Bing Images

 

[trikikiwi]

I would call it an opium pipe.

opium pipe - Bing Images

I will agree, as I can envisage how it might work, by inserting the opium into the barrel and have it smoulder away by placing some embers on the flattened area.

But, that would depend on the stem being hollow - which we don't yet know.

Sooo, spudnutt?

 

[CC Hunter]

Very odd and interesting piece!

The manufacturing appears to be 19th Century solder-seamed tinware.

Opium Pipe is highly doubtful, as the dynamics is unlike any Opium Pipe I have ever seen.

Is the small shaft a hollow tube, or solid?


CC Hunter

 

[mojjax]

Oil can ?

 

[diggummup]

I would have said candle holder but since the bottom "reservoir" is hollow, I would say it's an oil lamp with the wick, insert, or adjuster missing.

 

[spudnutt]

Thanks everyone. The shaft extension is hollow and air flows freely into the reservoir.

 

[CC Hunter]

After thoughtful comparison, my impression is that this item is an early type of Oiler, for machinery. The top likely had a cork at one time. Once the reservoir was filled through the top with lubricating oil, the cork would be pressed back in, sealing the top. Then the long tube spout would be used to effectively reach into tight areas on machinery, to lubricate moving parts.

Mojjax is on the right track I believe, and this item is a type of very early Oil Can.


CC Hunter

 

[kuger]

I have looked through my entire research file(huge)of Opium smoking pipes,and can not find any remotely similar to this either

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

modern glass version.


shine bright light Inside the object, extract any deposits, burn deposits...oils will smell like oil...
dope will smell like dope.

 

[kuger]

modern glass version.
View attachment 869819

shine bright light Inside the object, extract any deposits, burn deposits...oils will smell like oil...
dope will smell like dope.

Thanks Pippin...what does that date to?None of my historical material have any like that?

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

I believe it is a modern recreation kuger...made last week in medincino, type of object..

 

[Sentrom]

I think it is part of an old medicine steam vaporizer.

 

[CC Hunter]

I believe it is a modern recreation kuger...made last week in medincino, type of object..

There is nothing modern about the tin item posted at the top. That is hot tinned sheet steel, with likely lead solder seams. The style of construction, as well as aged patina, is very indicative of 19th Century tinsmith work.


CC Hunter

 

[steelheadwill]

CCHunter is on the mark, Fill with oil, cork, squeeze the reservoir and precisely drip your oil.
Bet that a gentle squeeze on the reservoir will still give a rebound click when released. (or leave a permanent dent )
Definitely not a whale oil lamp, the diagnostic for these are generally twin round wick holders.

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

not one model of this object being related to an oil can...
I have spent many hours looking for a similar object identified as an oil can....nope...nada, not one...


show a pic of this object relation to oil dispenser..

 

[CC Hunter]

Early handmade tin items are greatly varied in style and design. Some can simply be a "one-off" project specifically ordered by a customer. Tinsmiths, much like blacksmiths of the era, could and would make just about anything on a request basis.

Here is a somewhat similar tinware oiler:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Antique-Painted-Tin-Tole-Cast-Rose-Brass-Machine-Oilers-Grinder-Industrial-
/360747124101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fe344585


CC Hunter

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

yes..tin ware that looks nothing like the object posted.

so if it is an oil can....why can I find similar opium pipes...but no one can post a similar oil can?

oh...oil cans had flat bottoms, so the oil doesn't run out when you set it down...unless it hang on a hook?

 

[CC Hunter]

Opium pipes are entirely different in design. Generally these were made with a long shaft of bamboo, wood, or similar. There would be a small enclosed pot shaped vessel, often made of fired clay, known as a "damper bowl", that the material would be placed in. The bowl sat upon a connecting saddle piece, often made of brass, whereupon this was attached to the long hollow shaft.

Kuger is a very knowledgeable collector and historian of Chinese artifacts, including opium related antiquities. I will most assuredly accept his word that he cannot find any similar examples to this tinware piece in regards to use as an Opium Pipe! Additionally, I have personally found many of the original parts to period opium pipes.

http://www.pijpenkabinet.nl/Pijpenkabinet/P-E opium.html


CC Hunter

 

[kuger]

Well guys...........................your both kind of right!!!Looking for something else,came across this.......Opium Tool - 25(Scroll down, click on thumbnail)(Sold)