Vintage paraffin bike lights

[Tail End Charlie]

I was given these today by a friend, paraffin lights rather than carbide. A cursory internet search shows they may be from the 1920's, but I'm no expert (anyone know any better?). I'm going to enjoy fettling them up.

 

[classic33]

I was given these today by a friend, paraffin lights rather than carbide. A cursory internet search shows they may be from the 1920's, but I'm no expert (anyone know any better?). I'm going to enjoy fettling them up.
View attachment 635474

Joseph Lucas Ltd, Birmingham.
1915?

Edited to correct company name.

 

[Blue Hills]

mm
can't help but think I'd be inclined to polish them up nicely and flog them to a retro hipster.

(unless they were given to you for some sort of personal/homage reason of course)

 

[Oldhippy]

Fabulous things! Don't whatever you do shine them up to look new.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

@classic33
Even better! There's some history there.
@Blue Hills
I get where you're coming from, but hipsters aren't my scene.
@Oldhippy
I'll just clean them up, get rid of the gunk etc and then get them working.

 

[classic33]

Everywhere seems to say they are rare, especially if the lenses are still intact.
https://www.pamono.co.uk/antique-brass-oil-lamp-by-joseph-lucas-birmingham

A little detail on the man behind the name
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Joseph_Lucas_and_Son

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Everywhere seems to say they are rare, especially if the lenses are still intact.
https://www.pamono.co.uk/antique-brass-oil-lamp-by-joseph-lucas-birmingham

A little detail on the man behind the name
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Joseph_Lucas_and_Son

Above and beyond the call of duty! @classic33 Thankyou so much. I don't think mine are as old as those (they're not made from brass but appear to have been plated originally) but it gives me somewhere to start. I'll be googling furiously over the next couple of days. I've already ordered replacement wicks and am soaking the lowers in diesel as they are stuck at the mo.

 

[classic33]

Above and beyond the call of duty! @classic33 Thankyou so much. I don't think mine are as old as those (they're not made from brass but appear to have been plated originally) but it gives me somewhere to start. I'll be googling furiously over the next couple of days. I've already ordered replacement wicks and am soaking the lowers in diesel as they are stuck at the mo.

They ceased production after the First World War. Changing to carbide lamps after 1919.

What the internals look like, and possibly a source for spares.
https://thetimingchest.com/product/vintage-rear-bicycle-lamp-joseph-lucas-warna-paraffin-rear-light/

Are the lights complete as far as you can tell?

 

[Tail End Charlie]

They ceased production after the First World War. Changing to carbide lamps after 1919.

What the internals look like, and possibly a source for spares.
https://thetimingchest.com/product/vintage-rear-bicycle-lamp-joseph-lucas-warna-paraffin-rear-light/

Are the lights complete as far as you can tell?

Again, thankyou very much. That link is exactly like my rear lamp and both appear to be complete. The lenses on them are not scratched either. Interesting that the change was to carbide lamps, I had presumed that carbide lamps came first as dipping a chemical in water seems much more "agricultural" than lighting a wick.

 

[classic33]

Got an earlier date, twenty one years earlier, for the "Little Warna" light.

https://bicycleb.blogspot.com/2020/06/antique-bicycle-oil-lamps.html?m=1

 

[roley poley]

Again, thankyou very much. That link is exactly like my rear lamp and both appear to be complete. The lenses on them are not scratched either. Interesting that the change was to carbide lamps, I had presumed that carbide lamps came first as dipping a chemical in water seems much more "agricultural" than lighting a wick.

I remember the spent tapped out emptyings of carbide lamps from my early caving days which were left behind in many obscure places not very eco at all for the next traveler to encounter

 

[bagpuss]

Wonderful . As others have said Clean out gunk from inside . Leave outside as is ,you cannot replace the look of age .

Here is my rear light {on the right of the two . .As purchase some years ago . Made by Speedwell Birmingham
Lamps by rebalrid, on Flickr

The one on the left is a early battery light , made by Nepa/Nefa .British made . I can find out nothing about it on the net & I have never seen another .

 

[classic33]

Wonderful . As others have said Clean out gunk from inside . Leave outside as is ,you cannot replace the look of age .

Here is my rear light {on the right of the two . .As purchase some years ago . Made by Speedwell Birmingham
View attachment 636397 Lamps by rebalrid, on Flickr

The one on the left is a early battery light , made by Nepa/Nefa .British made . I can find out nothing about it on the net & I have never seen another .

1920's for the "NEFA" light.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1920s-nefa-british-made-battery-426238511

Any patent numbers on the base of either?

 

[Tail End Charlie]

@classic33 your Google ability is staggering, I really mean it.

 

[classic33]

@classic33 your Google ability is staggering, I really mean it.

There's a name and location on the base of the light on the right, it'd help.


A posspossible manufacturer,

Isaac Sherwood and Sons​

44 to 50 Granville Street, Birmingham,