"City of New York" Dietz No. 39 Steel Clad Lantern w/ Vulcan Globe - USA POSTAGE INCLUDED

Collectibles : Railroadiana : Hardware : Lantern : Lamp

 

Here is a fine example of a vintage Dietz No. 39 Steel Clad Railroad Lantern that was made for New York City. It is correctly stamped CITY OF NEW YORK around the smoke dome in raised letters. On the very top it is stamped DIETZ No. 39 STEEL CLAD / NEW YORK U.S.A.

This is a big, sturdy lantern with flat verticals, a double wire guard around the glass globe and a thick round bottom wire. It has no damage, beyond the very lightest signs of use. (Our only suggestion is that the strap handle is just slightly off-square and should be re-bent, but this is insignificant.) The frame is sound, strong and straight and it sits flat on the table. The paint is its original flat matte black and there is no rust. This lantern is complete with the correct pot and burner, working wick raiser and thumb latch, and the smoke baffle is present in the dome. Including the handle, it is 12 inches tall.

The globe is correct, clear and strongly cast with the DIETZ circle logo surrounded by NEW YORK USA near the top beneath the word VULCAN; identifying this as an actual Dietz-made Vulcan model globe and not a replacement. It has no cracks or chips, only the expected rim scuffs from use.

With its short metal strap handle, instead of a large, swinging bail loop, this lantern would not have been held while lit to use for signaling. Rather, it would have been hung from a frame (perhaps at a crossing) or would have been set on the ground.

BACKGROUND: According to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Railroad Lighting Vol. I" by Barrett, the No. 39 Steel Clad Railroad Lantern was introduced around 1902. (This version, with an outside wick raiser, was introduced in 1905.) The No. 39 Steel Clad continued to be popular over many years through both World War II and the Korean War. It was sold not only to railroads but to most any type of customer including the armed forces for wartime use, and was finally discontinued in 1958.

The No. 39 Vulcan Lantern also was introduced by Dietz about 1902. It was very similar in size and appearance to the No. 39 Steel Clad except it lacked the flat vertical uprights. Parts -- especially globes -- could be (and frequently were) interchanged between the two models. The No. 39 Vulcan model was made until 1944.

Item ID: 2008-00206