I bought an anchor light.

[Concerto]

A few days I visited an antique shop and found a copper and brass ship's anchor light with an all round Fresnel lens. After a little negociation I bought it. It stands 15" high by 10" diameter. The name Meteorite which after some research I found is a trade name for W.T. George & Co Ltd. They were based in Bishop Street, Birmingham. As it does not have a Patent Number, means it was made before 1941. I estimate it is 1920s/1930s. It has been converted to 240V, but needs rewiring which will include an inline dimmer switch. Also need to clean and polish all the metalwork.







I think it is a bit too big for Concerto, plus it runs on 240V.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Gorgeous thing. Maybe convert it to a dimmable and portable battery 12v cockpit light.

 

[Concerto]

Gorgeous thing. Maybe convert it to a dimmable and portable battery 12v cockpit light.

Could do that, but my wife who does not sail, loves it. So fat chance of doing that. Besides it weighs about 7Kg so could be dangerous if allowed to swing as an anchor light.

 

[MontyMariner]

Put ina ring of LED's to run off 12v.

 

[Poignard]

I'm not sure that isn't a fake.

How are you supposed to hang it up, and stop it bouncing about and swinging from side to side?




On this one note the stirrups for hauling it up and holding it down, and the guide rings.

 

[Frank Holden]

The lens would be a tricky thing to fake. Maybe it was modified by removing bits when it was converted to 240V.

 

[Concerto]

I'm not sure that isn't a fake.

How are you supposed to hang it up, and stop it bouncing about and swinging from side to side?

View attachment 160932


On this one note the stirrups for hauling it up and holding it down, and the guide rings.

It does not have any other supports but it definitely is old. The internals show huge discolourtion. I suspect it was originally lit by an electric bulb, not an oil lamp. The top unscrews and the base has a panel that is taped and screwed - no self taping screws or star heads. There are no tell tale things that look wrong to my eyes. Being made of copper and brass plus the weight shows it was made to last rather than built to a price. My guess it was from a ship or coaster. The electric cable is white inside, but the cable outside and the plug are covered with nicotine suggesting this has been is a maritime pub for a long time. From my experience with antiques, modern fakes would more likely have a full makers plate including an address and probably a date. Hence why I think this is a genuine anchor lamp.

Your photo looks to be from the 50s or 60s as it is painted, not even galvanised. It has similar mould marks on the Fresnel lens. It is difficult to see the makers plates, but neither match any from this web site.
British Manufacturers / The Manufacturers | Old Ship Lights
This one is definitely one lit by an oil lamp as there are vents at the base and a chimney at the top. This is more like one from a fishing boat and required a lot more fixing due to the boat moving more violently than a ship when at anchor.

 

[mjcoon]

I'm sure on Antiques Roadshow they would tell you not to polish it. But I expect the wife has the casting vote...

 

[wombat88]

I understand that these lights fetch way more if they still have the paraffin burners and the little reflector in them. I think they are wonderful things that may have a place on a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter (if you happen to have one).

 

[Porthandbuoy]

We’ve got a few brass & copper anchor lights in the house. I’ve removed the internal gubbins (stored away safely) and converted them to use candles, scented ones in the toilets. They cast a nice warm light when folks pop into the loo in the middle of the night.

 

[Frank Holden]

We’ve got a few brass & copper anchor lights in the house. I’ve removed the internal gubbins (stored away safely) and converted them to use candles, scented ones in the toilets. They cast a nice warm light when folks pop into the loo in the middle of the night.

A naked flame in the Karzi? Best not serve up too many #5 Vindaloos.
Maybe a Davis lamp would be a better choice.

 

[Poignard]

[...]

Your photo looks to be from the 50s or 60s as it is painted, not even galvanised. It has similar mould marks on the Fresnel lens. It is difficult to see the makers plates, but neither match any from this web site.
British Manufacturers / The Manufacturers | Old Ship Lights
[...]

I bought it brand new in 1998 from a ship-chandlers in Cherbourg.

It was made by DHR [Den Haan, Rotterdam] and the lower brass plate has a serial number on it.

I used to use it on board but haven't done so for many years, having opted for the easier option of buying an LED anchor lamp from a man who made them and used to advertise on this forum.

 

[Wansworth]

My last yacht had a paraffin cabin lamp with two wick burner,lots of light or nicely dimmed as required,saved the leccy which we didn’t have much and worked everytime…..kept in a cardboard box whilst atsea

 

[Poignard]

My last yacht had a paraffin cabin lamp with two wick burner,lots of light or nicely dimmed as required,saved the leccy which we didn’t have much and worked everytime…..kept in a cardboard box whilst atsea

I have two gimbal-mounted oil lamps in my boat. In cold weather they give an illusion of warmth!

 

[wombat88]

It is years since I heard the hiss of a Tilley lamp...

 

[Poignard]

It is years since I heard the hiss of a Tilley lamp...

Psst! Wanna buy one?

 

[Sandy]

I know a chap who made an anchor light out of an old jam jar, an LED, some gunk, to waterproof the lid, and a length of wire cost him about 10p and has little windage.

 

[Minerva]

A few days I visited an antique shop and found a copper and brass ship's anchor light with an all round Fresnel lens. After a little negociation I bought it. It stands 15" high by 10" diameter. The name Meteorite which after some research I found is a trade name for W.T. George & Co Ltd. They were based in Bishop Street, Birmingham. As it does not have a Patent Number, means it was made before 1941. I estimate it is 1920s/1930s. It has been converted to 240V, but needs rewiring which will include an inline dimmer switch. Also need to clean and polish all the metalwork.

View attachment 160929

View attachment 160930

View attachment 160931

I think it is a bit too big for Concerto, plus it runs on 240V.

I’ll confess to irrationally having a real hankering for a reasonable sized traditional brass anchor light.

Re-worked with a usb battery pack and a bright LED bulb(s) I think it
Would be just the job!

 

[Concerto]

I’ll confess to irrationally having a real hankering for a reasonable sized traditional brass anchor light.

Re-worked with a usb battery pack and a bright LED bulb(s) I think it
Would be just the job!

This is not for sale now, even though it would be too large for any sailing yacht. However you can still buy a new traditional brass anchor light.
anchor brass lantern - Google Suche

 

[Poignard]

DHR Anchor lights 5" made from brass