I recognise this. It is the kind of paraffin lamp which was put around road works in the UK in the past. Nowadays we have electric lights but these were certainly in use up to the late 1970s. They were always red so this one has been painted. Every self-respecting student had one in their room after a drunken walk home from the pub. I wonder how it got to the US? Maybe an interesting personal story there.

Here is a link that might be useful: Roadworks lamps

Yep, I think you have a railroad lantern. I bought a reproduction one had been turned into a bank for my son for Christmas last year. Great find, cant believe that you dug it up, that is so cool! here is a link for you!

Here is a link that might be useful: railroad lantern

http://lampguild.org/QandApage/archives/Q0002103.htm
You got me curious and I found this link. Apparently they were common throughout England in construction areas and quite commonly stolen to be used for other purposes. Maybe yours washed over "the pond" and landed just to be repurposed one more time.

HAHAHA! Isn't that funny! The one flora submitted looked just like the one I sent you, but they were called different names! Talk about multi-tasking!That must have been a very useful light in its day. Anyway, you could put a tealight in it or even leave the door open with a little birdnest, angel or gnome inside, that would be cute!

Wow !!
I must restore to orginal color.

Thanks so much.

No personal story of mine but it is interesting that the lady who lived here
from 1964 to 1998 when I bought this house lived to be 106 years old.

This is a road works warning lamp, not a railway lamp. It's purpose was not to cast a light to see by, but to glow red at night to warn drivers of approaching road works. There must have been many thousands manufactured as they were a common sight everywhere up until the late 70s so your lamp is not necessarily particularly old. I don't think they were used any earlier than post WW2. Maybe the previous occupant had son/daughter/relative who visited the UK and took this as a souvenir. If you google paraffin roadworks lamp you will find several references. If the resevoir is intact and you can find a wick perhaps you can get it going again. They used paraffin (kerosene in the US ???)

Nice find, it's really pretty. Can you slip a piece of wood or metal in it for the bottom so you can put a votive or candle in it? Even if you can't do that, you could put it over the top of a votive/candle and just use it that way.

Sal

I don't care what it was, to me its a wonderful find and I love it. And I think its so cool you dug it up in your own yard. I'd be thrilled over it.

hugs, Karen

It's been in my shed for 10 years since I found it.
Think maybe I'll use it in the garden.
Thanks again.
{{gwi:150763}}

how lucky you are..i love lighting up my patio area...what a great find!
kathy

I really like the way it looks there, perfect spot for it to "shine".

hugs, Karen

Patsi, what a fun thing for the garden. I wonder how it got to the usa?
kathy

That is really cool! Sure got everyone interested!
Great find.

C O O L ! ! ! ~~~ very interesting...
I Love it... either way... it is GRRREAT Garden Junk
(Treasures !!!)
Thanks for the pics !
God Bless !
SusieSunshine

What a treasure!!!! I love it!!!!

I think it looks great! What a great piece of artwork in your lovely garden.

Don't know how I missed this one!! It's loverly in it's new home. What a wonderful treasure to find in your back yard. I bet the lady that was 106 had a lot of stories to tell!! Thanks for sharing.

If it has a bottom, it would look very cool with one of those flameless candles ... you know, the battery operated kind. When I first saw it, I thought ... now there's an old fashioned flashlight! lol! Great find and it looks wonderful in your lovely garden.

I just saw an old railroad lantern on shopgoodwill.com. It would be neat cleaned up and painted like yours for a garden. No I'm not bidding on it if anyone else wants to, I spent my limit for this month. Darn.

hugs, Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: old railroad lantern