Any LANTERN experts here?

[Mohawk Dave]

It's a tool, right?

Any knowledge of these and are any of these worth a pretty penny?

 

[RivennHewn]

without the globes, I'd say they are next to worthless except for the parts.

In working order, they'd have some value to a collector.

I grew up with those things, and I love them. Where I grew up in Alaska, the power was always going out.

I did my homework by lantern all the time.

 

[Zeke]

Red globes that are original have value and lamps vary in value as to who they were made for. For instance if made for a defunct railroad 100 years ago you might have something.

 

[owenst7]

Might try Coleman collectors forum.

 

[rlitman]

Might try Coleman collectors forum.

Not Coleman. Coleman didn't make kerosene lanterns that I know of. Dietz is one big name who did/does.

 

[t4runner]

Lanterns with logos are worth more than ones without RR lanterns are what a lot of people look for. Dont be fooled by Dietz lanterns they have been made over seas starting in the 50's If it does not have a USA or a serial number with a S or M [ I am pretty sure those are the prefix letters ] then its a good chance it was made in Asia. I would suggest just doing some research there are a lot of collector sites to check out.

 

[Kevin54]

Any original RR lantern with the red globe especially, are your most prized. I have seen some red globe RR lanterns go for upwards of $300.

Dietz still makes lanterns today that look just like the lanterns of old. If you can, check the markings on the lanterns, and post up what you have. I have a few old RR lanterns myself that my dad had when he worked on the RR.

And if you don't know, just a little Trivia, the red globe RR lanterns were the caboose lanterns. The clear globes were usually the one the railroaders carried with them. Plus, because of the red globe lanterns, that where brothels got the name of "The Red Light District". The lanterns would hang outside while they were a little occupied inside.

I would say all of those are worth something except maybe the light blue one. That looks like a newer lantern. And remember also, not all of the lanterns were railroad lanterns. Many a farmer depended on them, just as the Amish still do today.

Check this out, and click on any picture and it will pop up in the r.h. lower portion of your screen what website the pics are from http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=railroad+lantern+collectors&FORM=HDRSC2#a

 

[NHBandit]

Those are barn lanterns. I see them all the time with globes for $5-$20 each and pass them up. They made millions of them. These pictured are railroad lanterns. I collect them and restore them and they are worth quite a bit as Kevin said. The steel cage around the globe is one telltale sign of a RR lantern and most will also be marked with the initials of the RR that owned it. On the metal shade and sometimes on the globe as well. The story about the red lenses is interesting but one I haven't heard before. It simply means the train is stopped for whatever reason. This is what I've always been told they mean. Flags in the daytime and lanterns at night.
SIGNALS AND THEIR USE.
Employees whose duties may require them to give signals, must provide themselves with the proper appliances, keep them in good order and for immediate use.
Flags of the prescribed color must be used by day, and lights of the prescribed color and type by night.
Day signals must be displayed from sunrise to sunset but when day signals cannot be plainly seen, night signals must be used in addition. Night signals must be displayed from sunset to sunrise.
Color Indication
(a) Red Stop
(b) Yellow Proceed at reduced speed, and for other uses prescribed by the rules.
(c) Green Proceed , and for other uses prescribed by the rules.
(d) White Flag stop (See rule 28) and for other uses prescribed by the rules.
(e) Blue See Rule 26.
(f) Purple Stop. (Indication for siding derails)
Rule 26. A blue signal, displayed at one or both ends of an engine, car, or train, indicates that workmen are under or about it; when thus protected it must not be coupled to or moved. Each class of workmen will display the blue signals and the same workmen alone are authorized to remove them. Other equipment must not be placed on the same track so as to intercept the view of the blue signals, without first notifying the workmen.
Rule 28. A white signal will be used to stop a train at the flag stations indicated on its schedule or in special instructions. [See discussion below about green globes and flag stops.]

 

[turbowoodworker]

Bandit has it right. He shows you pictures of Dietz RR lanterns, but the OP has simple barn lanterns. Antique shops have them all day long with globes listed as high as forty bucks, but I never see any of them moving from the shops around here. Ten bucks at best.

 

[NHBandit]

Bandit has it right. He shows you pictures of Dietz RR lanterns, but the OP has simple barn lanterns. Antique shops have them all day long with globes listed as high as forty bucks, but I never see any of them moving from the shops around here. Ten bucks at best.

Dietz, Adlake, Dressel, & Armspear are probably the most common RR lanterns. Here are a bunch of barn lanterns I had hanging from my porch at my old house. I don't think I paid more that $10 each for them and some were bought in box lots of 3 or 4 at auctions for $10 for the whole box. They are fun to collect but don't expect to get rich.

 

[owenst7]

Not Coleman. Coleman didn't make kerosene lanterns that I know of. Dietz is one big name who did/does.

Those guys collect all kinds of old lanterns, stoves, camping tables, not just Coleman white gas stuff.

 

[katy]

You might check out: http://www.lanternnet.com/
Lots of info there.

 

[Steinmetz]

These old lanterns often leak due to moisture accumulation in the tank, which renders them unusable except for flower arrangements at the county fair.

 

[Kevin54]

Dietz, Adlake, Dressel, & Armspear are probably the most common RR lanterns. Here are a bunch of barn lanterns I had hanging from my porch at my old house. I don't think I paid more that $10 each for them and some were bought in box lots of 3 or 4 at auctions for $10 for the whole box. They are fun to collect but don't expect to get rich.

NH.....IIRC, I think I heard that story on the History Channel one time, and asked my dad about it. Something about the railroaders hanging the lanterns outside of the brothels so they could be found.

I do know that the red lanterns were also used on the cabooses, just like the same as red taillights on a car. Once they got away from the red lanterns, they went with battery operated lights. I do know the red lanterns were used also to signal for a stop.

I still have all of dad's battery operated lantern, and believe it or not, but one lantern still has the "D" Cell square battery in it, and that lantern was up in my mom and dads closet, when dad retired. Dad gave me the lantern about 27 years ago. Dad retired at 65 and passed away at 95, two years ago, so that battery is 37 years old roughly, and it still works.

I have three of the gas lanterns. Two with red globes, and one with a white globe. All three are different makers, and I just looked and darned if not one of them is a Dietz. One is a Handlan and has a red globe, the white globe lantern is an Adlake, and the other red globe is The Adams & Westlake Co. All three are NYCS lanterns.

The battery lanterns are Justrite, Adlake, and the Star and Headlight Co. And the rear caboose light that is battery is also a Star and Headlite co., but it is now shortened to Starlite.

My brother-in-laws father was the head of the Wrecker crew. He was the first one called out in an accident. He had a hell of a collection of lanterns (maybe 75+) and railroad locks and keys. He had three 4x8 sheets of plywood in his basement with nothing but railroad locks and keys. He was also an old time railroader and was my dads age. Sadly he committed suicide at 89 years old. My BIL hooked up with an auctioneer when it came time to clean out the house, as my BIL just didn't want to mess with things. He told the auctioneer to write him a check for everything in the house, then whatever he could sell it for to go ahead as he had no interest in it. There were also 3 complete sets of Passenger car/dinner car place settings. By that I mean that there were like three complete settings that would serve maybe 20 or so people. So you're looking at like 60 plates, 60 cups, 60 saucers and so on. All of this was also NYCS items. My BIL got a grand whopping total for everything in the house and garage and all the RR memorabilia of $5000 He practically gave it all away.

I don't have a lot of items from when dad was on the RR. I do have his keys and one lock I think. I have his Hamilton RR Pocket Watch that is in like new condition, then of course his lanterns. Back in the day when dad started on the RR, he was required to have a watch, but couldn't afford one, so the Trainmaster pulled him aside, told him to take this note to the local jewelry store, and get a watch. I think dad said this was back sometime in the late '30's. Dad got his watch, and I think he had to pay back something like $.75 a week until it was paid off. Even today, the Hamilton's are not worth what one would think they are. You'd have to have a hundred of them to probably equal a Rolex in cost, but the story about paying for it is priceless.

 

[rlitman]

I have three of the gas lanterns.

Don't put gas in one of these unless you want to burn your house down.
They rely on a non-volatile fuel and wicking action. Kerosene is what they need. Gasoline will rapidly cause a runaway fire.

A Coleman lantern uses pressure in the tank to create a spray of volatile fuel. That's totally different than a lamp with a wick.
Petromax lanterns work on this principle too, and can burn a variety of fuels, but are known to explode when burning gasoline.

 

[gungatim]

I collect those lanterns, not for the value but the utility. When the power goes out, out come the kerosene lanterns (twice this winter). Also use them outside alot as flashlights are a pain to keep fresh batteries all the time and they don't light an area very well. I also use them in the garage sometimes while I am waiting for the stupid CFL's to warm up enough to put out any light.

I also have several stashed away "just in case", though I am not a prepper or anything like that but it is nice to have as insurance. I have about a doze coleman's as well but they are more work to keep clean, change mantles, pressure seals, etc. Kerosene lanterns pretty much just work. even if they leak they still work...

 

[Kevin54]

Don't put gas in one of these unless you want to burn your house down.They rely on a non-volatile fuel and wicking action. Kerosene is what they need. Gasoline will rapidly cause a runaway fire.

A Coleman lantern uses pressure in the tank to create a spray of volatile fuel. That's totally different than a lamp with a wick.
Petromax lanterns work on this principle too, and can burn a variety of fuels, but are known to explode when burning gasoline.

I didn't mean what I said about gas. I was thinking "white gas" like a Coleman takes. I know that the old ones take kerosene.

Aside from that, I don't and won't use them anyways. They are just hangers in my garage.

 

[rlitman]

I collect those lanterns, not for the value but the utility. When the power goes out, out come the kerosene lanterns ...Kerosene lanterns pretty much just work. even if they leak they still work...

Ditto. A few years back, some box store had some Chinese knockoff ones on clearance for a couple of bucks a piece. I bought 5 or 6, and have put them to use during numerous power outages. I still have an S hook hanging from my dining room chandelier that I hung one of these from for days.
For simple reliable illumination, they kick the pants off hurricane candles and the like. I've always got a few gallons of kerosene around from my garage heat, and the wicks last damn near forever. If I run it low, they hardly ever need trimming, let alone replacement.

I didn't mean what I said about gas. I was thinking "white gas" like a Coleman takes. I know that the old ones take kerosene.

Aside from that, I don't and won't use them anyways. They are just hangers in my garage.

Gotcha. I've used the white gas ones. Technically they will burn gasoline too, but the thought of a pressurized container of even white gas in it too much for me. If, for example, the pump stem packing seal failed (and they're leather), picturing a stream of gas spraying out next to an open flame, just puts me off.
Anyway, the kerosene lanterns don't produce enough CO to be a risk when used indoors. The "gas" ones, really aren't usable indoors without a window open, so for emergency lighting for me, they're not an option anyway.

 

[NHBandit]

Cool story Kevin and I had never heard the part about the brothels. I also have a couple NYCS lanterns. New York Central. Also Boston & Maine, Vermont Central, Pennsylvania RR, Maine Central, New York New Haven & Hartford, as well as a few from Southern railroads. Probably have 25 or so total. Most had surface rust when I got them and all have been cleaned up like you see in the pics with a molasses & water soak. Works great and dosn't hurt the tin plating. All of mine would work if I filled them with Kero. I even have a can for filling them that's marked B&M RR. Got some wrenches with railroad ownership markings as well. Fun stuff.

 

[Kevin54]

Cool story Kevin and I had never heard the part about the brothels. I also have a couple NYCS lanterns. New York Central. Also Boston & Maine, Vermont Central, Pennsylvania RR, Maine Central, New York New Haven & Hartford, as well as a few from Southern railroads. Probably have 25 or so total. Most had surface rust when I got them and all have been cleaned up like you see in the pics with a molasses & water soak. Works great and dosn't hurt the tin plating. All of mine would work if I filled them with Kero. I even have a can for filling them that's marked B&M RR. Got some wrenches with railroad ownership markings as well. Fun stuff.

We used to have a company here in Urbana, Oh. that made a lot of the old oil cans, water cans, funnels, and whatever other cans for the railroad. They are no longer in business and maybe went out of business 10-15 years ago. I guess over the years they were in business, they made thousands upon thousands for the railroad. When they went out of business, all of the patterns and tooling were bought up by one person, and for the life of me, I can't remember who the person was that bought them, or the name of the company that bought them

 

[Steinmetz]

I didn't mean what I said about gas. I was thinking "white gas" like a Coleman takes. I know that the old ones take kerosene.

Aside from that, I don't and won't use them anyways. They are just hangers in my garage.

"White gas" is essentially no different than automotive fuel, but without the usual additives (which used to include tetraethyl lead). It was called white because it lacked the dye usually added to motor fuels to identify them.

Never put gasoline in a lantern intended only for kerosene (e.g., a wick lantern).

 

[Steinmetz]

Ditto. A few years back, some box store had some Chinese knockoff ones on clearance for a couple of bucks a piece. I bought 5 or 6, and have put them to use during numerous power outages. I still have an S hook hanging from my dining room chandelier that I hung one of these from for days.
For simple reliable illumination, they kick the pants off hurricane candles and the like. I've always got a few gallons of kerosene around from my garage heat, and the wicks last damn near forever. If I run it low, they hardly ever need trimming, let alone replacement.



Gotcha. I've used the white gas ones. Technically they will burn gasoline too, but the thought of a pressurized container of even white gas in it too much for me. If, for example, the pump stem packing seal failed (and they're leather), picturing a stream of gas spraying out next to an open flame, just puts me off.
Anyway, the kerosene lanterns don't produce enough CO to be a risk when used indoors. The "gas" ones, really aren't usable indoors without a window open, so for emergency lighting for me, they're not an option anyway.

Not so. There is a check valve below the pump seal that would inhibit the flow of an ignitable mixture out of the lantern.

 

[rlitman]

"White gas" is essentially no different than automotive fuel, but without the usual additives (which used to include tetraethyl lead). It was called white because it lacked the dye usually added to motor fuels to identify them.

Never put gasoline in a lantern intended only for kerosene (e.g., a wick lantern). . .

Not so. There is a check valve below the pump seal that would inhibit the flow of an ignitable mixture out of the lantern.

White gas is essentially what automotive fuel used to be 70+ years ago, but is called naphtha today (although by most accounts, coleman fuel is nearly benzene free, it burns just like benzene). Automotive gasoline is MUCH more volatile.

I am aware of the check valve. Ball checks can leak. It is all "supposed to" work safely, and I've never seen a failed Coleman pressure lantern, but I have seen the results of a failed gasoline blowtorch. The pump and tank is mechanically the same as a lantern, and they're known to fail catastrophically when least expected. I know, with proper maintenance, it shouldn't be an issue . . . Pressurized volatile fuel just gives me the willies.
I've got a white gas stove sitting around for SHTF, but my camp stove of choice is my Primus propane.

 

[Steinmetz]

White gas is essentially what automotive fuel used to be 70+ years ago, but is called naphtha today (although by most accounts, coleman fuel is nearly benzene free, it burns just like benzene). Automotive gasoline is MUCH more volatile.

I am aware of the check valve. Ball checks can leak. It is all "supposed to" work safely, and I've never seen a failed Coleman pressure lantern, but I have seen the results of a failed gasoline blowtorch. The pump and tank is mechanically the same as a lantern, and they're known to fail catastrophically when least expected. I know, with proper maintenance, it shouldn't be an issue . . . Pressurized volatile fuel just gives me the willies.
I've got a white gas stove sitting around for SHTF, but my camp stove of choice is my Primus propane.

Let's make sure we're speaking the same language. I didn't say Coleman Fuel. "...White gasoline, also called white gas, can also be a name for pure gasoline, without additives. This was commonly used when leaded gasoline was the norm, to prevent fouling in situations where the properties of the lead additive were not required.
"White" gas is colorless, as opposed to "regular" octane fuel, which has orange dye added for identification, or high-octane "ethyl", which has purple dye added…" . Which is essentially what I said.

If the check valve leaks, the needle valve (that part of the pump plunger that threads into the check valve) prevents any leakage. It's an inherently safe design.

 

[rlitman]

I've never heard pure unleaded gasoline called white gas.
White gas is a generic term for the equivalent of Coleman fuel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gas seems to show ambiguity between the uses of the term. Ok, well that explains why I didn't get the right impression.