Found an old lamp & would like to restore it -help!

[Pimpedcake]

Hi there. My grandad used to drive steam engines and I found an old kerosene inspection lamp (I think it's that?). I would like to restore it or know where I could take it to so somebody could bring it back to rights. It's battered and unuseable, but it would mean the world to me to give it a huge dose of tlc.

Can anybody point me in the right direction. I live in Kent. Thank you.

 

[John Webb]

Welcome to the forum! It would help us to give advice to you if you could post a picture of this lamp so we know better what it is and what shape (or mis-shape!) it's in.

John Webb

 

[Pimpedcake]

Hi there. Thank you so much for your reply. Fingers crossed I have attached the two pictures....(they are attached as files)

It has a gold coloured "Sherwood/s Birmingham" name on it.

 

[John Webb]

Thanks for that. It looks in pretty good shape to me, and I would be slow to make any changes to it, other than a gentle clean-up. Inspect the internal lamp unit carefully - particularly the bottom - for corrosion; if there is much don't try to use it with paraffin in, get it repaired or replaced. (We had one that had corroded in the base - it leaked paraffin while lit and flared up, damaging the 'Shunt Limit' sign it was in!)

I have come across a firm that makes/repairs lamps for carriages and other old road vehicles - I'll try and get their details for you.

 

[Ploughman]

Other than the Brass label.
Any letters stamped in the body that might indicate which railway company it belonged to?

 

[Pimpedcake]

Apologies for the delay in coming back to you, I am midst moving house.

The lamp is very corroded and getting it to work I think may be a long shot. Just getting it cleaned up, dried out and looking better then it is at the moment would be enough for me. Anything else a bonus.

Those details would be gratefully received, thank you very much.

I had another better look at it, and cannot see anything but the brass stamp. Its as though the rust has just taken it over. It was out in the garden for years so I'm not holding hope, its far more its sentimental connection.

Thank you.

 

[Pimpedcake]

Thanks for that. It looks in pretty good shape to me, and I would be slow to make any changes to it, other than a gentle clean-up. Inspect the internal lamp unit carefully - particularly the bottom - for corrosion; if there is much don't try to use it with paraffin in, get it repaired or replaced. (We had one that had corroded in the base - it leaked paraffin while lit and flared up, damaging the 'Shunt Limit' sign it was in!)

I have come across a firm that makes/repairs lamps for carriages and other old road vehicles - I'll try and get their details for you.

Hi again, if you have those details or could point me in the right direction for looking, that would be lovely. Thanks again.

 

[John Webb]

Sorry that I've not got back - I can't find the details. I suspect I saw something while throwing out some heritage magazines such as "Old Glory" some 6 months ago, so I suggest looking at that and other magazines dealing with heritage transport, not just railway magazines.

Regards,
John Webb