Posted 8 years ago
BeckyMiller
(1 item)
Someone told me this came from his grand dad's farm and that they used it as a "flashlight" when they walked around the house at night or went to the outhouse rather than light the big gas lamps.
Has anyone ever seen one of these and what is it called?
It is a leaded (I assume, it's very heavy) round glass ball on a gimbal and the handle seems to be lucite. I assume the handle was replaced and may have been wood.
that's cool!
Nicefice, that looks like it! Thank you.
You may have what was called a parade torch or campaign torch common in the time of the USA civil war and right after. I have a few myself but made out of tin, not glass. Held a thick wick so as not to be extinguished easily while walking or in a breeze. Indoor lamps typically had thinner wicks to prevent excessive smoke fumes. Todays equivalent would be the tiki torch I guess....
Perhaps a cigar lighter?
T A
Nytelyte, yes, it could be a campaign torch of sorts, though, as you said, glass not tin. The space for the wick is indeed for a very thick wick.
Here's one: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/0d/bc/39/0dbc39cea90da7a54bf835892f8db2fb.jpg I couldn't find the original post, sorry. Before I requested more info on my weird find, I had NO idea these sorts of lamps existed. It is so wonderful to read up on them. Thanks!
I have one just the same, but mine has a little thing you put on top of the wick to snuff out the candle. It is attached with a small chain. So glad to see another one.