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Dietz
- Made from Brass
or Tin, Dietz Dark lanterns are marked with the distinctive oval "Dietz"
logo on the top of the lid. One characteristic that sets them apart
from other Dark lanterns is the unique cage that protects the globe.
All other Dark lantern manufacturers use a straight "squared-off" cage...
this Dietz cage is rounded and broader. Compare the Dietz cage with
other Dark lanterns on this page and see how it stands out. Dietz
also made Deck lanterns... And it's interesting to note that they
have the straight "squared-off" cage. Although the "brass"
version usually is found with a "Simplex" burner... Both versions
can be seen with a "Dietz
Convex" burner as well. The "brass" Dietz Dark lantern is also
very susceptible to stress cracks on the sides of the shield. These
cracks make the shield inoperable. It is very rare to find a Dietz
"brass" version with a working shield.
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Keystoneware
and City Metal - These
two companies only made Tin versions of Dark lanterns.
Keystoneware lanterns are finely stamped on the top of the lid with a Key
and the letter "K" inside a Keystone shape. The word "Keystoneware"
is stamped in an arch above the symbol. In contrast, City Metal lanterns
are strongly stamped "City Metal" on their lid. Both the Keystoneware
and City Metal lanterns have a straight "squared-off" cage and use burners
marked "Simplex" from the E. Miller Co. The City Metal Fount has
a pedestal that raises the burner up an additional quarter inch.
This is unique and isn't seen on other documented Dark and Deck lanterns.
A photo can been seen on the Fount & Burner Page for more detail.
City Metal lanterns also have uniquely designed air holes cut into the
top lid. All other Deck and Dark lanterns have a standard set of
air holes.
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Perkins
and Vogel Stamping - These
two companies made their Dark lanterns from Brass. A Tin version
has yet to be documented. Both companies attached a brass plate with
their company name stamped on it. The Vogel nameplate is a rectangular
piece of brass that was mounted on the side of the lantern on the bellbottom.
The Perkins plate was a brass oval tag affixed to the bellbottom as well.
There is a version of Perkins lantern documented that does not have a brass
plate. The lantern on the right does not have the brass plate and
is interesting because this version of "Perko" stamp also is marked
"Perkins Marine Lamp & Hardware Company". The Perkins
Marine Lamp Company didn't change their name to include "Lamp &
Hardware" until 1932.... after WWI. It has come to my attention
that this lantern may be New Old Stock (NOS) and was stamped at a later
date. Perhaps it sat in a warehouse and was marked when the company
changed its name. It's construction is identical to the brass tagged
version as well. These lanterns also have the straight "squared-off"
cage as seen above. Perkins also made Deck lanterns... while
it is unknown if Vogel did. Vogel lanterns generally are found with
a burner marked "Vortex".
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National
Metal Spinning and Stamping Co. -
This company made their Dark lanterns out of Brass.
I haven't seen a Tin version yet. They are identified by a wonderful
herald located on the bottom of the fount. A finely stamped herald that
reads "National Metal Spinning & Stamping Co
NY". It generally has a "National Marine Lamp Co."
burner on the fount. Anyone with additional information, please
"Contact Us" . Thanks.
William
Porter & Sons - This
company looks to have TWO versions of Dark lantern... both manufactured from Brass.
No Tin version has yet to be documented. The top Porter & Sons Dark
lantern (#1) was identified
to me by a visitor to this site, but I was unable to clarify where the company
marking is located on the lantern. It looks to be a newer style of
lantern from Porter & Sons. The second Porter & Sons Dark
lantern (#2), is not marked
as well, but is identical in its construction to numerous other Wm. Porter
lanterns. Similarities include lid latch, top vent holes, bottom vent
holes, and cage construction to name a few. The lid latch can be found on numerous other models of Porter
lantern (fire, conductor, ship, etc...). I have no documentation on
which burners came with either of these two version of Dark lantern.
Anyone with additional information, please "Contact Us".
Thanks! |
William Stegmueller Co.
"Tin"
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to enlarge
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Blickman & Co.
"Brass"
Click
to enlarge
We are looking for additional information about "Blickman" dark lanterns...
If you can help... Please
contact us. Thanks!
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William
Stegmueller & Sons -
Only RECENTLY discovered to have manufactured
Dark lanterns... this Tin lantern has the same wonderful quality
construction as its Deck lantern counterpart. No brass version of any
Stegmueller lantern has yet been documented. The markings are located on
the lid and read "Wm. Stegmueller
& Co. Philadelphia PA".
Anyone with
additional information, please "Contact Us" .
Thanks.
Blickman & Co. N.Y.
- This VERY RARE lantern was also just
recently documented. It is made of Brass and marked " ?? Blickman Co. N.Y. " on its lid.
The first two initials are unreadable. The lantern is VERY sturdy
and does not seem susceptible to stress cracks like other manufactured
Brass dark lanterns. Classy styling, such as extra angles in the top of
the shield and the extra lip on the top lid, make this lantern stand out. A tin version has
not been documented. This lantern came with a burner
marked "Simplex" from the E. Miller Co. Anyone with
additional information, please "Contact Us". Thanks! |
Unknown
"Brass"

Click
to enlarge
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Unknown
manufacturer- Made from Brass,
this Dark lantern hasn't been identified as of yet. It could possibly be
made by Perkins or National Metal. It has a "Simplex"
burner. It is not made by Dietz or Porter
because of it's physical construction. Any additional
information on this lantern would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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