old lantern how does it work

hi all picked this up in japan apparently quite old was wondering if anyone knew how to use it or is it missing something chris

 

It’s getting late but someone will know. Maybe @Shangas

 

Looks like a carbide lantern, missing a reflector.

 

reckon you nailed it looking on Google now I know awesome thanks kronos can you get reflectors for these at all

 

Do the two halves come apart? I suspect Kronos is right and that it is a carbide lamp.

Top half holds water. Bottom half holds chunks of calcium carbide.

Water + carbide = acetylene gas.

Light the gas = LET THERE BE LIGHT!!

 

does bottom unscrews

 

The bottom compartment holds the chunks of calcium carbide. The top compartment holds the water.

There should be a valve or something between the two compartments. Water drips from the top compartment into the bottom, creates a chemical reaction which produces gas, which goes out of another valve, which is then ignited by a match, to create light. This light would be intensified by the reflector stuck onto the side of the lamp.

Basically - the more water, the more gas, the more light. To turn it off, you shut off the flow of water. That means the carbide eventually uses up all the water it has, and the gas stops being made, snuffing out the flame.

 

Here's a great little video, showing how carbide lamps work. Lamps like these were extremely common in the old days. Bicycle-lamps, train-lamps, miner's lamps, car-headlights...they were everywhere.

 

THAT WAS FABULOUS!!!!
Thank you!
I’ve handled quite a few of these and may have one.
I’d be like him firing one up!!!
I’d never seen one work!!!!

 

Hi,
Living in the coal veins of Western Pa. Saw many a carbide lamp. Living among the old coal mines had there luxuries. My grandfather got tired of moving the outhouse every so many years. The last time he moved it he dug down in a coal mine tunnel and swore it never had to moved again. Luckily we got indoor plumbing soon after he opened the mine tunnel. Everyone was afraid to use the outhouse, thinking they were going to fall in or something would crawl out. I thought it was neat to drop bottles down it and waiting and waiting for them to hit bottom and smash or bounce around. kids today missed all the fun.
greg

 

Oh poop.
Who knew?

 

awesome thanks everyone that video was great will now have to hunt down a reflector and try and give this a try at working

 

Old camera ones may work though probably NOT aluminum.

 

ok will keep in mind thanls king let you know how I go

 

You don't need a reflector. First thing is to see if the water cut be controlled. Most likely the needle is cruddy and corroded. Also need to run a cleaning tip through the orifice where the gas comes out.

 

ok will check when I get home any issues with giving this a clean and polish or leave it as it is chris