They look exactly like old coal miner's safety lamps. Would be interested to know what their use on the Frisco was as well! Google Images -Mike
Actually, it was my brother, Karl. He is constantly searching for rarities to give me as gifts. He has spent considerable time searching the web for an answer to the posed question and we think that they were possibly given as a gift commemorating some event or achievement rather than an item used by the Frisco, but there is no evidence of missing tags on them. Normally, the railroad tagged a commemorative item with a brass plaque or an engraving. The Frisco Lines coonskins appear to have been either etched or printed on them. Here's a better picture.
Well played, sir. Those are dandies. And rather diminutive. Looks like they used kerosene/something other than electricity? Seems like they'd be the right size for, say, interior caboose or locomotive cab lighting, but they seem too fancy. Definitely not practical for a brakeman/conductor's signal lantern, I'd think. Thanks for sharing - a neat find anyway you look at it. Best Regards,
Keith, take a look in the book "Lantern's that lit the World" Their is a few that look similar. The most promising is the engineer's lantern. 1881-1887 Say's it was made to look inside the engine compartment.
By their size they almost look like a promotional item. Maybe an early "nightlight" or a pre-electric flashlight for clients???
The Frisco coonskin logo did not come about until 1900.. The Frisco Lines logo was in use between 1910 and 1937 according to my Frisco Museum T shirt. I do not think the lanterns ever saw use in RR service as AAR regulations were very strict on lantern and lamp use. I have two theories : 1. It was given to a Frisco employee by a coal operation served by the Frisco 2.. It is a fake intended to deceive with modern origin in China or India.The etched Frisco Lines logo is the give to me that it is a fake. Lantern globes were commonly etched but not other items. Thedy bare most attractive items.
