Civil War Signal Lantern, as found in the CS Hunley

Rare Civil War Signal Lantern, as the one found in the Confederate Hunley Submarine. Click picture and "Detailed Description". (SOLD)

 

Civil War Signal Lantern. It is made of tole tin and measures 6 ½” high, with the diameter at the base being 3 ¼”. There are folding wire carrying handles on the back, as well as another section for hanging on a belt. It has a very thick glass lens on the swinging front door which would magnify the light from the flame.

 

There is a near identical example of this lantern which was recovered inside the Confederate Submarine “H.L. Hunley”. The concreted lantern was removed by archaeologists and x-rayed (see pictures). It is said that this was possibly the one the crew used to signal that it sank the USS Housatonic on February 17^th, 1864.

 

Another example of this type of lantern is in The Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia, by Francis Lord (see pictures). The only difference is that this one has two canopies on top, just as the Hunley Lantern. In the description it states “This lantern was carried by Sergeant Peck, 7^th Connecticut Infantry and issued to him as special equipment for the amphibious assaults at Forts Fisher and Wagner”.  

 

This lantern remains in very nice condition, still having most of the original black paint. It has been in my private collection for over twenty years. It is truly a rare piece, so take advantage to add it to your Civil War collection. (SOLD)