Curious What Is This?

[Stephen Maybee]

Can anyone identify what this is used for. I dig old cellar holes, no electricity, prior to 1920 or so. I thought at first it was for gas lights but cleaned it up and water on/off. The base looks like it screwed into something. And as you can see it was clamped onto things.
Thank you,
Steve

 

[stetam]

I'm gonna said it's the base to a carbide lamp.

Steve

 

[Jose159]

I'm gonna said it's the base to a carbide lamp.

Steve

I agree ...certainly looks like a lamp. I am a little puzzled about the on-water-off switch though

 

[hoser]

You have to have water to activate the Carbide that produces acetylene gas. Nice find, and Good ID stetam.

 

[noluckl]

Yep. The water drip rate turns the flame up or down.

 

[Jose159]

Wow,, I just learned something lol

 

[Stephen Maybee]

Thanks so much for the information. I would have never known!

 

[bottlecap4u]

good to know, thought I found 1/2 of one awhile back but couldn't get a match when I searched.

 

[markinmichigan]

I'm gonna said it's the base to a carbide lamp.

Steve

How did you know that? Amazing

Mark in Michigan

 

[stetam]

How did you know that? Amazing

Mark in Michigan

I'm a wealth of useless information

Steve