Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: bigdaddie47 on February 18, 2013, 02:29:29 PM

Title: German miner's lamp
Post by: bigdaddie47 on February 18, 2013, 02:29:29 PM
Greetings- the other day I was in the older topics and saw a miner's lamp (can't remember where, "old age-too much input).
I have one and took pictures. It was my Great Grandfather's in the Saar region of Germany (coal mining). The Shield is Brass and says GLUCK-AUF  and has a D on the left side., thumb screw cover to load the oil and and seal the pot. It has the wire pick to pull up the wick and a nasty hook to dig into the wood or coal ledge. I did try oil and a wick and it works.
 I'm not perfect at closeups. I has a 3" round by 1-3/8" base -Total body is 4-1/2" by 3" and stands 4" with length of 9 1/2" to top of hook.
 I finally have something not many people have. Love this site....Joe
Title: Re: German miner's lamp
Post by: Billman49 on February 18, 2013, 02:49:17 PM
Nice to see a genuine grubenlampe - I bought one from eBay.de and it turned out to be a tourist souvenir/replica...

See: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grubenlampe

Only used in 'dry'coal mines (naked flame + firedamp = explosion), more common in stone and ore mines
Title: Re: German miner's lamp
Post by: Bill Houghton on February 19, 2013, 11:53:49 AM
That is one cool artifact to have in the family!
Title: Re: German miner's lamp
Post by: RWalters on February 19, 2013, 10:25:38 PM
Incidentally, Gluck Auf, which translates loosely to "Good Luck", is a traditional German miner's greeting still in use in parts of Germany with a strong mining history.