Brass Miners Lamp

Dear All,

Please can you advise how much you think this miners lamp is currently worth. Owner is thinking of selling it. Thanks a lot.

https://forum.lowyat.net/uploads/attach-1/post-78501-1451808197.jpg
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Very pretty. They're called Davy lamps, I believe. Designed in 1815, for use by miners, to prevent coal-dust explosions.

 

These are not uncommon, here are a batch of sold listings from ebay. THere were many other makers in addition to the Protector Lamp Company.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...lete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

Thie one possibly dates from the 1930s, but could be later. The principle use of these was to detect dangerous methane levels, the flame would burn blue instead of yellow.

"The SL (side lit) or Workman's Lamp came into widespread use after the Great War. It had to be lit in the Lamp Room by an electric current as Workmen were not allowed to relight underground.

It was still in use up to the 1970's" (Quote from the maker's website)

THe steady closing of British deep pit mines (the last one in the country closed recently) has led to a steady supply of these on the market.

 

Hola, and welcome to the Forums, Louis!

 

Thanks dear

 

I think it's later. It's never been used by the look of it, so probably one of those made to be sold to non miners. Wildly fashionable in the 60s and 70s. I own an early 20th C one that actually went down t'pit.

 

I've got 2 E.Thomas & Williams Ltd models.
They're made without the magnetic lock & double gauze .....so no pit for them.
You can watch them in use every 4 years as they are always part of the Olympic torch relays....

 

These Protective Lamp's Mining Flame Safety Lamps, AKA Eccles lamps, have been in constant production since 1873. They are even being made today. "Like all miners lamps they are based on the Davy Lamp principle."

Many reproductions of these miner's lamps are out there also.
http://lampguild.org/QandApage/archives/Q0004282.php

Here are websites on these safety lamps.
The following website is badly setup. Need to scroll way down the pages to find information
http://protectorlamp.com/index.html
http://protectorlamp.com/Hist1.htm

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/community/viewtopic.aspx?t=7244

--- Susan

 

mine say established in 1860.....but maybe they didn't start out making this type then...????