Miner’s Cap Lamp

Miner’s Cap Lamp

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Description (Brief)
This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The hook enabled the lamp to be worn on a cap, or hooked onto any other suitable location. This lamp has the inscription “J.C. MARSHALL'S PATENT JAN 4th 1876” on one side, and "CHARLES WAGNER" on the other.
Object Name
lamp, oil, cap, mining
mining lamp
Measurements
overall: 3 in x 2 3/4 in x 1 3/4 in; 7.62 cm x 6.985 cm x 4.445 cm
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9643
catalog number
MHI-MN-9643
accession number
288162
Credit Line
Elvin W. Keith
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mining
Mining Lamps
Work
Industry & Manufacturing
Natural Resources
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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