Vintage paraffin bike lights

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Tail End Charlie

Well, write it down boy ......
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.
635474
 

classic33

Leg End Member
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.
 
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Location
London
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)
 
OP
OP
Tail End Charlie

Tail End Charlie

Well, write it down boy ......
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

Leg End Member
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?
 
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OP
OP
Tail End Charlie

Tail End Charlie

Well, write it down boy ......
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.
 

roley poley

Veteran
Location
leeds
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

Guru
Location
derby
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
3664451939_5fe1acb53c_b.jpg 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

Leg End Member
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?
 
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