Need help in identifying

[Nickyd6865]

Hi all and thanks for being here.  I'm lost on these 3 old light fixtures I have.  On it it clearly states "patented October 1888" and even has a patent number, 37748.  Anybody help with identifying who may have made these pieces?  Any help,would be greatly appreciated.

[KC]

Are you sure there are only 5 numbers?

Wonder if this was a gas fixture converted to electric.

Can you take a pic of the patent and date information and post it please?

[fancypants]

I'm curious to know if the 'base' of this item is actually a gear , or simply metal that looks like one , Nicky6865 ?

[Nickyd6865]

The ring on the bottom is definitely not like a gear it's got to be strictly decorative.  I have no doubts that it was a gas lantern prior to being converted.  I still only see 5 numbers but take a peek and tell me your thoughts.

[KC]

What is the size of this?  Dimensions?

Reminds me of an old street light/lamp.

[cogar]

I was thinking an old "gas" street light because the base has a hinge to permit the globe to be "flipped" open to light the gas flame.

[Rauville]

Actually looks like the remains of a "Carbon Arc Electric" light to me.

Might be some information here? http://www.kbrhorse.net/strpatents/index.html
(I don't believe the "5 digit" patent number is entirely correct. Foundry mold makers could easily omit a digit at times.)

[KC]

Yep Rauville, in 1888 they had 6 digit patent numbers.  I have tried looking it up by adding every number at the end but without any success.  I even looked through that same site you just posted without finding anything.

I am wondering if the number is supposed to be a patent number or a inventory number.

[cogar]

In that it is marked “NO 37748” then I have to assume that is a manufacturing Part #.

And if so, one might be wasting their time trying to figure out what it means.

And what I mean by that is, …. the #’s might have to be read as, to wit:

3 …. 77 …. 48 …… (3-77-48)
3 … 774 … 8 …… (3-774-8)
37 …. 74 … 8 …… (37-74-8)
37 …. 7 … 48 …… (37-7-48)
377 … 48 …… (377-48)

Manufacturer’s have all sorts of different “numbering” schemes so that they can keep “in-house” track of what they are producing for sell to vendors.

In other words, …. “part #’s” are the employee’s “language” ….. and that is bout all they “talk” … from sales orders to finished goods shipment.

HA, the boss man might say, …. “We just got an order for a thousand 37748’s and they want them by next Friday …. so get them made and shipped by next Wednesday noon”.

And every employee knows what has to be done without any further explanation.

[KC]

Totally agree cogar.

I see I did a brain hiccup above when I wrote

I am wondering if the number is supposed to be a patent number or a inventory number.

I was thinking I wrote "I am wondering if the number is supposed to be a parts number or a inventory number."  not a patent number.  Yep, I was with it - NOT.

I have been on here spottily (if that is a word) due to the major storms here.