lantern info

[Kykeydet12]

pards:
does anyone have any info on period lanterns a pard of mine has been wanting one and I said that if he'll pay me i'll make one for him . all I'm going off of now is the dimensions I got off the blockade runner web site(only reason I get on there) can anyone tell me the following information

- how would the soldiers waterproof them ?
- which was more authentic tin or wood ?
- what type of soldier was used i the tin types?
- what are the dimensions for botha wood and tintype?
- where can i get the perod glass?

there's more questions coming I just have yet to ask them .any help will be greatly appreciated.

Rob young

[dusty27]

Re: lantern info

Rob,

The Authentic Campaigner site is around for the exchanging of PROGRESSIVE ideas concerning CAMPAIGNER re-enacting. Your question regarding lanterns is not pertinent here as it was VERY rare for troops to have lanterns except during winter camps and garrison duty in forts.

The average campaigning soldier from either side would be issued candles with their food. The men would light the candle, drip wax on a surface (wood, bottom of cup, plate) and hold the candle in the droppings until it hardened, connecting the candle to the surface.

To be an accurate campaign soldier, leave the lantern at home. When asking questions regarding questionable gear, ask yourself first "where would they carry it"?

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: lantern info

Well for my "winter camp" I too would also like to make a lantern. I know we are all trying to improve our impressions, and while we may not birng lanterns with us to campaign events, there may be times when it is appropriate. So if someone has directions for making a period lantern, please post or email to me: paulboulden@hotmail.com

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[Nor'easter]

Re: lantern info

I will give you the website of John Peterson, proprietor of Otter Creek Tinware. He is a very talented tinsmith, and makes the type of implement you are looking for .
Whether he wishes to take the time to explain lantern construction is another matter. For what it's worth:

http://www.sover.net/~ottertin/ottertin/octinw1.html

[marlin teat]

Re: lantern info

I made an ersatz lantern out of a peach can boiler by cutting a hole in the side and placing a candle inside. This item comes in handy on windy evenings and early mornings when filling out company paperwork. I usually hang it from my knapsack or bedroll. It also doubles as a coffee boiler by placing my dipper on top of the lit candle.

I got the idea after finding a similar artifact in a firepit in a Union campsite on Two-Run Creek just south of Kingston, Ga.

[KathyBradford]

Re: lantern info

Hi, Marlin,

This sounds fascinating. It's especially interesting that you made it yourself, patterned from something you found. Would it be possible to see a photo?
You've got me curious.

dkbrad@hotmail.com

[Jonah Barleycorn]

Re: lantern info

Akin to the peach can lantern, another one to think about that has historical precedence (and much more authentic to the average soldier than the wooden and tin lanterns you are thinking on Rob) is a sardine can slush-candle.

Fill an empty sardine or can or smoked oyster tin, with lid still partially attached (and no pull top lids either!), with rendered fat from your pork ration. Soak and insert a piece of cloth for a wick, close the lid back over the opening and you have a very authentic lantern. Besides, all of your preperation and construction can be done in your "winter camp" thus providing a little first person besides an authentic light source. It works; try it out.

Dump the wooden and tin lantern idea if you are really looking for an authentic way to do it.



Bully,

[marlin teat]

Re: lantern info

Hi, Marlin,

This sounds fascinating. It's especially interesting that you made it yourself, patterned from something you found. Would it be possible to see a photo?
You've got me curious.

dkbrad@hotmail.com

I don't have a way to post a photo right now but I'll try to get one this weekend. I've been told that there is a similar item pictured in "Lord's", though.

As far as the construction of mine: I used a fruit can that I got from George Pimentel several years ago and started the hole with a nail, then used tin snips to complete the hole. A friend also made one but made the hole rectangular and left one side attached as a hinge.

I think George's can would work better for this purpose that some others because the diameter is smaller making it easier to rest a dipper on top.

The last time I tried to contact George (G&P Tinworks), his website said that he was on active duty. I would really like to get a couple more of his boilers.

[BHoover]

Re: lantern info

Our unit had an honorary member (Jacob Straight, now deceased) who was a "true son". He told us that his father and some of his father's veteran friends had described the making of something he called a "confederate stove". Basically they would take a rag, soak it in grease, coil it inside a flat can, and light it. He said they had shown him how to make this stove, and he made one for us to show how it was done. I don't know who has his example now but I'm sure it was very like the ones his father used during the war. It provides some light, but is also a good source of heat for boiling coffee, etc. This is simple, handy, and has the "extra" benefit of being completely authentic.

As an aside, Mr. Straight said he had often used the same technique to keep warm while campaigning in the US Army in Europe during WWII.

[Mutt]

Re: lantern info

Howdy,

I believe it's in one of Time Life's series books Fighting Men of the Civil War where there is a shown a folding lantern. I can't recall if it its that or Echoes of Glory, don't have any with me here at college. Anyway, I know somewhere there is p[ictured a folding lantern made of tin (I believe). The Village Tinsmith used to make a folding one, but not sure if they had documentation to an original.

I too wouodn't mind making a period lantern at some point down the road. It'd be more of what all of us here do "experimental archeology" - we learn bout the past by doing and recreating. What better way then to go out n make whatever it is your curious bout, if plausible.

I'd think a period wooden lantern would be pretty simple n not a heavy thing with simple joinery at the corners - like 90 degree angles joined by nails or dowels, maybe a mortis and tennon joint. Dovetailing would seem extreem for a lantern, but would hold real well. A simple box with 3 small panes of glass and a back of wood or polished metal. This is just speculation, thinking about what I'd do. I hope to find some kind of example in pics when I get the chance to look at more.

I'd lean towards the peach can ideas more myself. The soaked pieces of wrag is a great idea, one that I wanna try :) There are pics in the same book I mentioend already of waht they ID as "Fire starters" or something like that. They look like what Mr. Hoover described but coiled round a center piece instead of in a flat can.

Hope my thougts helped some.

Cheers,

[Kykeydet12]

Re: lantern info

Pards;
i personally use my tin cup as a lantern all you have yo do it let the candle burn for a minute and the melted wax holds the candle in place it works just long enough to get to the rest area and back . I'd say that the peach can would work , i'll have to try that. because they :

Rob - please refrain from using "farb" terms - Mike Chapman

sorry all

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: lantern info

It works just long enough to get to the port-a-john and back.

Rob,
Is it possible for you to post something without using farb talk?

Read more, post less Rob.....

Using your tin cup is not a good idea for a lantern BTW.

Lanterns are over rated.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: lantern info

Tin cup idea...I will have to look into that...seems like someone may have done it once or twice...besides assuming that one did not crash at the end of a long days march, I think we underate the use of lanterns, of whatever degree.

Paul B. Boulden Jr.

RAH VA MIL '04

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: lantern info

Try one of these.

[DukeRPSC]

Re: lantern info

Comrade!

Depending on what your lighting needs and event circumstances may be, you could try something as simple as the candle as suggested above or, as Sam Watkins recounts, your lighting might be a stick of fat lighter in lieu thereof. Be careful of the dripping turpentine, though. Best stick into the ground wherever you intend to light it and leave it there.

The tin lantern is a grand idea for a fixed camp, winter encampment, or garrison scenario; but I would suggest that before learning how to build one from scratch ( and certainly, your questions as above indicate complete unfamiliarity with tinworking for our time) might I suggest John Peterson, Dixie Gun Works ( their bullseye lantern with the fisheye lense is correct for our time ) or C&D Jarnagin. The latter offers a lantern that they characterize as a "Rev War" or colonial period lantern ( the square one below ) which is a good choice. I have seen an original with traces of the original red paint and a patent date of 1858 manufactured in Philadelphia, PA. The conical oil lamp is also a good choice, although care must be used as with any open flame.

Hope this helps.