American Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company, Scranton, PA. Mining Safety Lantern

This flame safety lamp is an Ashworth Hepplewhite Gray style lamp manufactured by the American Safety Lamp & Mine Supply Company of Scranton, Pennsylvania, during the late 19th or early 20th century. The lamp is a "test lamp" used to test for the presence of combustible methane in the mine. The lamp has four tubes that run vertically from the top of the lamp to the glass enclosed flame.

The tubes direct the mine's air to the flame, which will produce a colored "cap" in the presence of methane. The larger the cap, the more methane is present. If the concentration of methane is combustible, the mine will need to be ventilated until safe working conditions are restored. This lamp was likely originally marked on the side of the base: American Safety Lamp and Mine Supply Co. This marking, if it was ever present, has been polished over and is no longer visible.

The distinct knurling pattern on the top rotating knob distinguishes this lamp as an American Safety Lamp and not an English model. A wonderful and scarce early American / Pennsylvania example.

This lamp has the rare vent holes, with covers, on two of the lower posts. 9.5" tall (12.25" with bail up) X 4" wide (with a 3.5" diameter base).

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