Koehler #203 Safety Lamp

Object/Artifact

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

MW.0170

Description

Aluminum and brass cylindrical lamp with Pyrex enclosure and wire fastening hook.

Use

Illumination in underground coal mine, sometimes called a "possum lamp". The enclosure allows for protection of the flame from igniting gases and coal dust. Flames burned higher and with a blue tint when methane was present, while the flame would diminish in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Context

Underground mine safety technology.

Collection

Coal Mining Tools, Fred Barkey Collection

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Koehler Manufacturing Company

Notes

early model

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

top of lamp

Transcription

PERMISSIBLE MINERS SAFETY LAMP APPROVAL NO.203 ISSUED TO THE KOEHLER MFG.CO. MARLBORO MASS. U.S.A.

Material

Aluminum, Glass, Brass