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.

 

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[steelheadwill]

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?

Where is your similar opium pipe? All I saw was a modern smoking tool, certainly not designed for the specialized needs of opium smokers.
BTW, I have an oiler of similar design which doesn't have a flat bottom, it's smaller, no cork, has a circular reservoir which 'clicks' each time you dispense a drop.

 

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[CC Hunter]

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?

The tinware oil can that had been posted a few minutes earlier, has very similar design and function. A small reservoir, capped fill hole with a short spout, and a long thin application tube. Also there is no flat bottom on that one either, for setting flush, stable, and upright on a surface.

Having any type of smoking device, made of lead soldered tin, would be certain death, and surely a faster demise than some of the worst drugs of the era. I have yet to find any reference to an early tinware solder seamed smoking device for any purpose.


CC Hunter

 

[DCMatt]

Found this:



They called it a hearing aid but admitted they didn't know for sure. It came from Scarborough, Ontario. It is the closest thing I've found yet to the posted Whatsit.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

Could it be a device for forcefeeding medicine to animals by sticking the tube down their throat?

DCMatt

 

[CC Hunter]

With a relatively long small tube, and seemingly tiny inner opening that is the same diameter the full length (as opposed to the graduating funnel shape), the originally posted object would have minimal flow through the tube. Therefor, any use would likely be in applications for only very small amounts, of controlled flow for a liquid.

Applying logic and visualization to the basic components and function of any object, can often preclude to eliminate other less likely associations. Even with variations in shape, size, and design, some objects that at first seem dissimilar, can in fact have nearly identical function and use.


CC Hunter

 

[trikikiwi]

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

Amazing! Well found kuger

 

[steelheadwill]

Applying logic and visualization to the basic components and function of any object, can often preclude to eliminate other less likely associations. Even with variations in shape, size, and design, some objects that at first seem dissimilar, can in fact have nearly identical function and use.


CC Hunter

Well said.

 

[steelheadwill]

Spudnutt, What are you thinking ??

 

[spudnutt]

Well, I have learned nothing thus far. I never thought it was an opium pipe. The heavy lead solder would make it deadly to smoke from. I know its definitely early 1800's. The rounded bottom is what is throwing me off. It will not stand upright on a flat surface. It does however fit perfectly in hand. I do think a cork is missing. Perhaps it is a custom made 1 of a kind oil can. The fact that it is stumping everyone I show it to isn't such a bad thing I suppose.

 

[cactusrat]

The heavy lead solder would make it deadly to smoke from.

Do you think a opium smoker would care?

 

[diggummup]

Homemade OOAK specialty piece. Good luck.

 

[Thommy]

It's an alcohol torch, used for brazing and soldering. I'm attaching a picture of a similar torch, there were many varieties

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

i showed a friend this thread...he looked at the photo and said the similar thing as thommy...without reading...just a glance at the object.


so i withdraw my idea.

 

[diggummup]

Just wondering why it is rounded on the bottom myself. Doesn't seem practical for any type of lamp. I saw similar photos of alcohol lamps days ago, almost posted a pic of one.I've also saw similar looking tools that watch makers use to blow dust and also ones that jewelers use as shown below-

But I still haven't found anything that satisfies my curiosity as to what this piece was actually made/used for.
Besides the rounded bottom, the opening has that large lip going around it. That is another unique feature of this object most associated with a candle holder, which I don't think it is (anymore) once I learned the small "tube" is hollow.

edit- So far the only thing I have seen that it "could" be is a primitive made oiler of some type. Made for a specific task as mentioned earlier in this thread. Makes sense to me anyway.

 

[diggummup]

Let's move the pics to this page-

 

[surf]

"FIG. 15.—THREE VARIETIES OF OLD OIL LAMPS." Chats On Household Curios, by Fred W. Burgess.