OLD Oil Lamp.

F

Febeleh

Joined
Nov 23, 2011
Messages
265
So... It's been a while! How have you all been?
Alright, so today, something cool happened. I guess I'll preface this with a story.
My elderly neighbors were celebrating their 56th anniversary (!) and had me over for dinner.
We had a nice dinner, and started talking about random topics, they are really sharp of mind for their age (around their late 80's), and are a joy to talk to.
Somehow or another, we got on the topic of oil lamps. I started talking about my enthusiasm for making olive oil lamps out of oranges and, as she was getting rid of a few things, mostly giving them to her family, she told me I could have on of their old oil lamps! Apparently, it is over 40 years old.
It is such a cool lamp, take a look:
mw7HP2r.jpg

66obxLH.jpg

Now my question to you all is, restore or not to restore? Should I even remove the dust?
What about the ash residue on the glass? Surely that could be cleaned off.
Also, is this old enough to be worth anything as an antique? Not that I want to sell it, I am simply curious if this thing has any other value past the sentimental one.
Also, how does it work? I imagine the oil goes in the large screw hole, but what about that long stemmed piece? What kind of wicks do I use?
She said it uses citronella fuel. Would I be able to use others?

Thanks guys, I know this isn't directly Becker related, but I didn't know of any other place online that has a large amount of people with old fashioned, folksy knowledge, and appreciate seemingly anachronistic items as much as I do.
I mean, these things seem simple enough, but as I'm only 16, I've never used one before, and would hate to do something wrong, and render this relic useless, so I want to get my facts straight. Also, I can't seem to find any videos on how to operate one, oddly enough.
But, as is obligatory, here is some Becker porn!
CHsZNSt.jpg

Thanks again!
-Febeleh.
 
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I'd leave it be.
You could probably get it working again without much effort but it would be kinda pointless beyond just seeing if you hcan.
As far as how it works, the oil/fuel goes in the bottom and the wick absorbs the oil and burns it off.
People don't use these things anymore for many reasons. Mostly because of safety & inefficiency.
Not really worth much. I see these things at estate sales all the time and they're usually from $10-40 unless they're over a hundred years old or very ornate.
 
You could always ask the people who you got it from to show you how to use it.I liked to use my old oil lantern when I was a camping. It kinda gives a difrent atmousphere .we used the play rpgs in the lamp light.
 
rkmoore said:
I'd leave it be.
You could probably get it working again without much effort but it would be kinda pointless beyond just seeing if you hcan.
As far as how it works, the oil/fuel goes in the bottom and the wick absorbs the oil and burns it off.
People don't use these things anymore for many reasons. Mostly because of safety & inefficiency.
Not really worth much. I see these things at estate sales all the time and they're usually from $10-40 unless they're over a hundred years old or very ornate.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks! I think I'll go ahead and fix it up in that case.
I'll just remove the damaging red rust, and try to keep the cool grey patina in tact. Then I'll polish up the moving parts, and fill it up.
Also, that BK-14 you traded me a while ago is serving me quite well. I've carved some things, shaved, done some yard work, and have done many general EDC things with it since.
 
People do fix them up and sell them. There are actually quite a few people who like old coal oil lanterns. Dietz still makes them (though in China). Some people convert them to electric and use a "flicker bulb" to get the effect. You might find more information here:

http://www.lanternnet.com/

BTW, that one is pretty cool with the big hood on it. It makes it ideal for walking around as the hood keeps the light from shining up on your eyes as much.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
People do fix them up and sell them. There are actually quite a few people who like old coal oil lanterns. Dietz still makes them (though in China). Some people convert them to electric and use a "flicker bulb" to get the effect. You might find more information here:

http://www.lanternnet.com/

BTW, that one is pretty cool with the big hood on it. It makes it ideal for walking around as the hood keeps the light from shining up on your eyes as much.
Click to expand...
My wick adjustment knob does not turn. How do I take apart the burner assembly to make it functional again?
 
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