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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 10:41:33 AM

Title: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 10:41:33 AM

My FIL had alot of stuff like this.  He told us at one point that these were old headlights.  I thought they were miner head lamps.  The only one I found similar was on ebay as a miner light, but the strap to fit onto the hat is different.

The ones we have, the strap in the back look like they are a hand-held light.

The only oil headlights I could find seemed to be for mostly trains, but I did find something similar, yet different for a ford model T.

I'd like to find out for sure what these are, and a date for them!

 ::)

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: KC on October 24, 2010, 11:39:17 AM

Toooooo cool!  Gotta run....but just had to look-see.....hope someone responds, if not, will when I get back!

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: mariok54 on October 24, 2010, 11:56:30 AM

Hi.. I'm pretty sure, although I'm happy to be proven wrong, that these would not be miners' lamps. I'm fairly confident that they are early car lamps ... take a look at this link, but I'll be searching as well.

http://www.svvs.org/help27.shtml

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: Sara Finn on October 24, 2010, 12:00:09 PM

I'm wondering if these cool lamps of yours have wicks or not, marcylove?

Just wondering if these are oil lamps or carbide lamps.

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: mariok54 on October 24, 2010, 12:00:26 PM

ps

If no-one here can pin them down, then there must be a million and one motoring forums out there... :)

Here's a nice selection of miners' lamps, which helps me think that yours isn't

http://www.holabirdamericana.com/HKA_2008_Cat2/Mining.html

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 07:54:16 PM

Thanks for the site mariok!

Sarah, they do have wicks in them.

I'll be trying to re-locate the miner's lamp i found on line.

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 24, 2010, 08:19:38 PM

The red window on the side would seem to indicate to me that these would have been to make them visible from the side on a moving vehicle. Maybe a train, boat or auto?

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 24, 2010, 08:24:11 PM

Here's an 1880-1890 carriage lantern with a "side light" window:

(http://trianglecranch.com/catalog/images/Lamp.jpg)

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 24, 2010, 08:30:34 PM

Running searches on the term carriage lantern I'm seeing lots of them similar, but not identical, to yours.

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 08:36:12 PM

i never would have though of that...

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 08:48:43 PM

I'm wondering if what you have are bicycle lights?

Here are pics of a Lucas Silver King (just as an example)...

http://www.busytrade.com/selling-leads/1486541/Sell-Antique-Vintage-Lucas-Silverking-Bicycle-Oil-Lamp.html

http://www.google.com/images?q=Lucas+Silver+King+Bicycle+Oil+Lamp&hl=en&client=safari&pwst=1&rls=en&prmd=ivs&source=lnms&tbs=isch:1&ei=6u3ETIKJOYKfngeOs9zTCQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CAwQ_AU&biw=1228&bih=684

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7272565


Link found on the Early Cycle Lighting site.....

http://www.websolutionswa.com/pwc/sellamps.asp?LampType=Oil


A 1922 Silver King below (again, just as an example) 

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 08:52:44 PM

A shot of an actual one 'in use'  ;)


"A solid tyred tandem bicycle dating circa 1888 with a Joseph Lucas
'King of the Road' oil lamp fitted."

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 08:55:28 PM

Even if I may be a bit off base here, the history is interesting.

http://www.websolutionswa.com/pwc/history.asp

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 09:04:59 PM

Found this one here.......

http://picasaweb.google.com/chye7959/BicycleOldLampPhoto#

++ P&H Ltd.  DEMON KING BICYCLE OIL LAMP ++ Vintage

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 09:11:03 PM

Sapphire I think you hit the nail on the head!!  ;D  Now i need to try and find my model!

Thanks guys for all your input!

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: ironlord1963 on October 24, 2010, 09:16:38 PM

Great Job Sapphire.  ;)

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 09:18:40 PM

I just found another blurb that Powell & Hamner, Birmingham, England were taken over by Joseph Lucas in 1929. That would explain the similarities.  ;)

Check out this Youtube video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8WiROsXUDY

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 09:23:27 PM

Likely a good place to contact for info....

http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_bicycle.htm

There is also a listing of lamp and lantern patents at the bottom. (Shoot, likely just for US made  :P)


Hope you get some answers !

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: marcylove on October 24, 2010, 09:25:07 PM

awesome sapphire!  you are certainly a 'hero' member! (cheez  :P)

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: sapphire on October 24, 2010, 09:26:19 PM

Hey, it's FUN !!!  :D

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on October 24, 2010, 10:19:12 PM

Good job Sapphire! I didn't know they had them on bikes!

Title: Re: oil headlights or miner lights
Post by: KC on October 25, 2010, 01:16:23 AM

Great job all of you!!!!!!!

Was betting it was for a car....learned something new!