Lantern

[TheBaldYankee]

Howdy folks. I'm looking for a bit of help here. I picked up this lantern back in October at a Sutler tent at the Fremont OH encampment. This was before I got into the hobby. I actually just like the lantern, and it made a great Halloween prop. I'd like to know if it's correct for the CW period. Mostly, I see wooden, or tin lanterns. I can't say I've seen one like this for sale anywhere on line.

Yeah, I know for , campaigning you'd want a folding tin lantern, but I would use this in mainstream camp.

Here's a pic....
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9629/lanternkw7.jpg
Thanks,
Anthony Salem

[Richard Schimenti]

The Lantern looks good to me, especially if you plan on using it in your tent. But, I would not just go on my word, I would look in several books that deal with period lanterns.

Another good source would be to check out reputable sutlers on the web and se if they are offering something in the same style.

Remember, when there was an encampment, a lot of soldiers had articles from home or purchased from the local townsfolk.

[Dave Myrick]

To me it looks like some derivation of an 1880's railroad lantern, but what do I know?

Dave

[jda3rd]

For campaigning, the average soldier probably wouldn't want to tote a lantern. A bit of candle, maybe, but I'd guess bulky stuff would be relegated to the regimental baggage wheelbarrow (if it hadn't been captured or delayed, or filled with officers equipment).

Mainstreamer camps are different. There you'd be alright with this as a personal item, as it would likely have been transported by the navvies and coolies, alongside the company freight wagon trains.

Joking aside, I like this candle lantern, but I'm not an authority, so I couldn't say if it's a period style or not. There was recently a discussion on the civilian side about candle lanterns, though. You might check there.

Frank Brower

[toptimlrd]

To me it resembles lanterns that predate the war such as those used around the time of the Revolution. I'm not an expert, but you may want to look through some Rev war documentation.

[tenfed1861]

Looks alright.If you carry it in a streamer camp,I'd say they wouldn't have a problem.If you carry it on campaign,then...
It looks good,as you said,as a Holloween prop or for a prop in a play.Not sure if it's period or not,though.
Cullen

[Western Blue Belly]

Period? I bought a lantern JUST LIKE THAT at JoAnns fabrics about two years ago....enough said.

[Russ Whitaker]

I use a confederate candle when I go out, don't know if yankees used them or not, but it's best more authentic way for light at night for me.

[VaTrooper]

I use a confederate candle when I go out....

Whats a confederate candle? Im a big fan of Yankee Candles myself. The Macintosh Apple smells really good. :rolleyes:

[TheBaldYankee]

Period? I bought a lantern JUST LIKE THAT at JoAnns fabrics about two years ago....enough said.
Just because you bought it at Joann Fabrics, doesn't mean it wasn't patterened after an original piece. So really it's not enough said.

Thanks for the replies. I thought it look a wee bit like a railraod lantern myself. Also there's something almost nautical about it. I'm going to look into the colonial thing.

[jademonkey]

Sir,

Lanterns are a bit out of my realm of expertise but John Peterson of Ottercreek Tinware should be able to answer a couple of questions. He's a very nice guy with a great deal of knowledge concerning the tinware of the period. http://mysite.verizon.net/ottertin/octinw1.html
Good luck,

[Lt15nwARK]

It`s a decent repo of an 1850s ships lantern. There is an original down in N.C.`s maritine museum.

[TheBaldYankee]

It`s a decent repo of an 1850s ships lantern. There is an original down in N.C.`s maritine museum.
Well it seems my hunch was right. It just kinda reminded me of the light covers you see on ships. Thanks. I'm going to see if I can find a pic of an original online.