New York Central RR Dressel Brakeman's Hand Lantern - FREE U.S.A. POSTAGE

Collectibles : Railroadiana : Hardware : Lantern : Lamp : Globe

 

Here is a good sound Dressel railroad brakeman’s hand lantern from the New York Central Systems. It could use a light cleaning but would be just fine for display as is. The top of the lid is boldly stamped N.Y.C.S. On top of the smoke dome it is stamped DRESSEL ARLINGTON, N.J..

The wire bottom frame is good, sound, strong and straight. There are no warps or twists, and no breaks anywhere. There is old aluminum paint on the lid and the flat vertical uprights but the paint job is nearly impossible to tell from the original tin -- except there are a few tiny chips here and there in the paint. Actually, having been painted has protected the lantern from rust. The pot and burner are correct. The pot is stamped DRESSEL ARLINGTON, N.J. The wick raiser works well and the pot is easy to remove from the lantern. There perhaps 2 or 3 spots where it has the lightest of surface rust but this would not be difficult to remove with steel wool.

The globe is a shorty style, 3-1/2 inches tall, and clear glass in great condition with only the expected light rim scuffs from wear. There are no RR markings on the globe. The globe is cast with the Kopp Company’s “Circle K” logo at the top.

This is an excellent example of a Dressel hand lantern. While some cleaning would be nice, all it needs right now is a display shelf to sit on and be admired.

*************************************************************************** Railroad Globe Color Meanings:

WHITE (clear or frosted) - safety, a signal that it is safe to proceed

RED (cranberry or ruby) - danger ahead - a signal to stop

YELLOW (AMBER or BROWN) - use caution - proceed at reduced speed

BLUE (cobalt) - placed on a car or engine as a signal that it is not to be moved

GREEN (teal, blue-green or Kelly) - use caution - a signal to proceed slowly; also a green lantern would be displayed on a wreck derrick to signal the engineer of a wreck train

Item ID: 2006-259