Antique Naval Lantern

[lawrence_n]

Just putting it out there, but what are the odds one of you guys knows about naval stuff? I'm offered this brass naval lantern, oil burning from the looks of it, and I have no idea as to value. Any input would be most appreciated.

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[Aragorn243]

I researched these a few months ago as one was in a local antique shop. Lanterns are tough because there are so many variations of them. I have a book but this one is not in it. In that it is brass, it is likely for marine use. Does not mean it was for navy use. Does it have property markings? Any with property markings for the US Navy or Coast Guard are considered rare. Without markings it could have been on any ship unless you can find out if it was specific to a navy contract. The brass was resistant to saltwater corrosion, RR lanterns didn't' have that concern.

Lanterns of any type are generally in the $100-$200 range, common RR lanterns can be less and rare examples more. What it comes down to I guess is what it is worth to you? Not very helpful. I passed on the local one as it was not marked.

Without knowing more, I probably would not personally pay more than $150 for this one.

There are other factors to consider, is it complete, the burner is inside, has it been modified, many have holes for electric cords, doesn't look like this one does.

[jond41403]

What would the four rings on the sides be for? Are those for mounting it to the side of a ship? Looks like a pole slid through them on each side or something similar. The bars I'm assuming are for carrying it around when it's lit but I have no idea. Beautiful lantern though

[browningautorifle]

The bars

The vertical bars? To keep things away from the glass and hold it all together. The handle at top is for carrying.

[jond41403]

I thought maybe with it lit the heat would be too hot to carry from the top but yes it makes more sense it's just a glass guard. Don't know why but when I first saw it my brain automatically went to handles haha

[lawrence_n]

Thank you all for your input. The lantern was part of a lot at a local online estate auction. There was also a WWII Japanese naval binocular in the lot but I lost out to someone with much deeper pockets than me.

[Flying10uk]

For an "antique lantern" it doesn't appear to have many dings in it and knocks to it which would make me question whether it is actually a reproduction lamp as copper is a soft metal and dents relatively easily.

[lawrence_n]

For an "antique lantern" it doesn't appear to have many dings in it and knocks to it which would make me question whether it is actually a reproduction lamp as copper is a soft metal and dents relatively easily.

True, but I've encountered antiques that either saw little use or were babied so well that they looked like reproductions. I've seen them and I've no doubt other collectors of almost anything have encountered the same thing. There was a plate on the lantern but it wasn't shown well in the photographs so I have no idea what I missed out on. As for the binoculars, I don't know what condition the lenses were in so I have no idea if I should have bid more or dropping out was a wise move.

[Aragorn243]

This is typical condition for this type lantern. I don't often run into them but this is what they usually look like. People polish them. The metal mixture is pretty hard as they are not pure copper but a blend and usually called brass even though they do look closer to copper. Due to the glass, they aren't typically abused in use.

[Surpmil]

Typical "masthead light/lamp" by the look of it. Hauled up and down by the top loop on lines running through the side loops.

Lots of soot inside; needs a good clean.