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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Police Bullseye lantern
Casebook Message Boards: Police Officials: General Discussion:
Police Bullseye lantern
Author: Jon
Monday, 17 January 2000 - 10:25 pm |        | P.C. Edward Watkins:
I passed through Mitre Square about 1.30 on Sunday morning, I had my lantern fixed in my belt, and on....'
A Specimen Police Bullseye Lantern
The police lantern was one of those very few pieces of police equipment that was carried by cop and crook alike! In literature we find Raffles, the gentleman burglar, and his counterpart, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, both regular users of the police bullseye lantern, also known as the dark lantern. For the Victorian policeman this oil lantern was a very vital piece of equipment. Not only did it serve as a source of light, but also as a personal heater in the winter and stove for his "cuppa" tea year-round …. occasionally, it also seconded as a defensive weapon and might also be used as a signaling device!
The bullseye lantern was a very ingeniously made piece of equipment. In addition to the outer tin shell topped by crimped or crinkled multi-level chimney, the device bore a ground glass magnifying lens, an inner lamp with adjustible wick, carrying handles and a belt hook …. to adjust the amount of light given off by the device, one simply turned the chimney.
The specimen Bullseye lantern that it is the focus of this article was manufactured by HIATT & CO., BIRMINGHAM in the mid-1800's. In addition to the features listed above, it also has a lip under the hook to prevent the lamp from slipping off the belt.
(Article, courtesy of John B. Taylor)
bullseye@constabulary.com
Regards, Jon |
Author: Lindsey Bentley
Tuesday, 18 January 2000 - 01:44 pm | | Jon, many thanks for this bullseye lantern article and photo - you have just helped me to identify a lamp which has had me puzzled for years.
Much appreciated!
~Lindsey |
Author: Jon
Tuesday, 18 January 2000 - 06:05 pm | | Hi Lyn
You should've mentioned it before lass, I could have told you where to look.
Go to this site you can pick several shots from different angles.
http://www.constabulary.com/mystery/bullseye.htm
Best Regards, Jon |
Author: JacksBack
Tuesday, 18 January 2000 - 06:58 pm | | This is a great site. Check out the Victorian Police Rattle.
http://www.constabulary.com/mystery/rattle.htm |
Author: Lindsey
Wednesday, 19 January 2000 - 11:11 am | | Thanks again Jon. I had thought it was a driving lamp or something.
We did manage to get the lamp working at one time, and used it once or twice before we had electricity in the house (desperate times for us..!) but it lost out to the Coleman, which gave much more light, and was far more useful to us for those tricky night-time trips to the outhouse (though I didn't realise that the light could be adjusted by turning the chimney..) Perhaps we are more accustomed to brighter light.
Curiosity prompts me to wonder how this lamp would have been used as a defensive weapon...!
~Lindsey |
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