Now that John mentioned it, it clicks, it's a miners candle holder, the
brass tube is for matches. I remember reading a description but never
saw a picture.
On 5/31/2012 12:42 PM, John Sessoms wrote:
From: mike wilson
On 31/05/2012 08:52, William Robb wrote:
A good friend passed away recently, and we don't know what this is for
sure.
I think it's a lamp of some sort.
Anyone know what it is, really?
http://users.accesscomm.ca/wrphoto/pictures/WRK59183.jpg
http://users.accesscomm.ca/wrphoto/pictures/WRK59185.jpg
I would guess that there should be a spring in the long tube, to hold
the candle up. It's for using when you need the light to stay still and
not move, as it would as the candle burned down. Similar constructions
were used when candles were the source of light in the (very, very)
early days of motoring, to ensure the flame stayed in the right place to
allow a mirror to throw as much light down the road as possible.
I'm not sure, after all that, why it would be constructed to separate.
SWAG: The shape of the handles suggests an artistic/decorative
component in the design. But there's also a bit of utilitarian "form
follows function".
The long tube is for storing matches, the base is a candle holder.
While traveling, the match tube nests in the candle holder base. The
match tube comes out of the base when you want to put the candle in.
The first image shows the set prepared to go into someone's "carry on"
bag, and the second image shows the set separated so it can be used.
Anyway, that's my guess.
Is there any kind of maker's mark on the bottom of the tube or the
bottom of the candle holder?
--
Don't lose heart! They might want to cut it out, and they'll want to avoid a
lengthily search.
--
PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
[email protected]
http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow
the directions.
