old lantern how does it work

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Chris Mount, Dec 1, 2017.

  1. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

    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 15121853764510.jpg 15121853764921.jpg 15121853765182.jpg
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  2. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

  3. Kronos

    Kronos Well-Known Member

    Looks like a carbide lantern, missing a reflector.
     
  4. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

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

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    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!!
     
  6. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

    does bottom unscrews
     
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  7. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    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.
     
  8. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

  9. Shangas

    Shangas Underage Antiques Collector and Historian

    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.

     
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  10. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    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!!!!
     
  11. gregsglass

    gregsglass Well-Known Member

    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.:eek:
    greg
     
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  12. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Oh poop.
    Who knew?
    :)
     
  13. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

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

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Old camera ones may work though probably NOT aluminum.
     
  15. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

    ok will keep in mind thanls king let you know how I go
     
    KingofThings likes this.
  16. terry5732

    terry5732 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
  17. Chris Mount

    Chris Mount Getting there

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