To water camper
My grandson says:
The C.T. Ham MFG Co. made lanterns between 1876 and 1914. The lantern she is talking about is not a railroad lantern, but is actually what is referred to as a "carriage" or "buggy" lantern. The plate mentioned with the red glass inserted in it is actually the back of the lantern and not the front. There should be a spring clip on the side of the lantern. You would use that spring clip to attach this lantern to the side of a carriage or wagon, and it would be used as a combination head light/tail light.
For it to be all original, the entire lantern should be painted black except for the inside of the reflector plate which should have a shiny tin finish. The burner, as well as the cone that sits over the burner, should be solid brass. The clear globe for this lantern should either be unmarked or have the name "HAM" on it. Any other name on the glass is incorrect for the lantern.
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