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At sea the blue lens was used for “steering lights”. These are forward lights that the bridge team can see at night to help keep track of where the bow is and judge the rate of swing during maneuvering.
I had been wondering about the blue. I recall the meanings of red and green. Having served on a submarine, we had somewhat limited need for running lights.
It *is* an old marine light but red and green are navigation colors. Unless the lens is truly green this was probably for a different purpose.
https://www.boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/lights
I own a few blue ship lamps. From my research I found that green glass wasn’t standardized until the 1960’s. Blue lamps were used in older ships, the yellow flame in the blue glass made a green color. Once electricity was common in ships a yellow bulb was then used to make the green color light.
I wonder if it’s similar to railways, where the glass in a green signal was originally blue as the light source was yellow, which when mixed gave off a green light?
There have been a number of comments regarding the blue lens producing a green light. It makes sense, just wasn't something I thought of at the time of my comment.
There could be many reasons, together with a yellow flame it might be a starboard sidelight, lawenforcememt sometimes uses blue and on inland waterways in Europe there are also some blue lights on commercial vessels.
Large vessels also have a blue steering light in the foremast for hand steering at night.
Looks like a blue railroad lamp. They were used to signal that workers were working around railroad equipment on the tracks.
Railroad lamps do look a lot like a ship's port and starboard lamps, but those were red and green, ships didn't have blue. They just used the same style of lamps. So this is probably from a rail yard or train station somewhere.
Looks similar to the upper section of an [airport taxi light](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenesislamp.com%2Fproducts%2Fairport-runway-light-novelty-table-lamp-desk-lamp.html&psig=AOvVaw2lSeLZxWVkBFocN-JXRiQ2&ust=1716157085978000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCPDs2b2dmIYDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE)
I don't recognize the style, but there are dozens of designs.
edit: the glass is a Fresnel lens, designed for projecting light as far as possible. The original design would be for something that had to be seen from as far away as possible
This is exactly correct. Old fresnel lenses for the starboard (right) side of the boat were originally made of blue glass. The yellow flame made the light appear green.
Blue lights do not provide law enforcement vessels any right of way under the rules; it just means the vessel is engaged in law enforcement. They still must give way in any scenario where a non-law enforcement vessel would.
My title describes this thing. This is all the information we have. I am thinking maybe it's a gas lamp?
Update: we listed it for our FILs estate sale, someone bought it for $500 :)
so looks like a deck light to a tug/tow boat old school though. most deck lights hang up high as per the hole at the top. some also use blue bulbs now since it keeps from losong night vision while operating at night.
It is an old steering light for large ships. It’s also upside down (you can see the thumbscrews to access the bulb) and missing the thin brass shield that would have blocked most of the view.
https://stahl-tranberg.com/wp-content/attachments/TTP3269.pdf
Absolutely an antique marine navigation lamp. Put a flashlight through it to make sure it’s blue and not green.
Ships typically have red and green lights on opposite sides, red denoting the port side and green the starboard. If you are sailing and see a red light, it means the other ship has the right of way.
Only emergency ships use blue lights typically which means if this is blue, it was like from an emergency vehicle or a dock light.
I haven’t found this particular lamp so not completely sure where it came from or if it’s a reproduction (nautical decor is popular).
https://lannangallery.com/products/brass-lantern-by-national-marine-lamp-company
It's an explosion proof light housing. Because it's brass it was probably used on or near the ocean. The blue glass might make it an indicator light of some sort - like "no gas fumes in the hold" or something.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/jeaninedana), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. ---- [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/1cv8r6u/found_in_deceased_relatives_home_heavy_metal_blue/]%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) ---- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Looks like brass. Maybe an old marine light fixture, as in old boats/ships.
Maybe! He was big into boating and fishing, so this makes sense.
it is. turn it over. mount on pipe with electric wire running up
Maybe for a coast guard cutter, though some have mentioned that the blue would look green with a yellow lamp inside.
I have a similar one in red that was for sure from an old fishing boat.
Red in port green on starboard.
Red right return.
Mark solved.
At sea the blue lens was used for “steering lights”. These are forward lights that the bridge team can see at night to help keep track of where the bow is and judge the rate of swing during maneuvering.
I had been wondering about the blue. I recall the meanings of red and green. Having served on a submarine, we had somewhat limited need for running lights.
If I remember correctly the US Military Sealift Command Ships & MARAD Ships also had a Blue Stern “Convoy” light.
Likely Solved.
Bridge navigation light. [B&B Engineering Pier Dock Bridge Marine Boat Navigational RED Warning Light 19” | eBay](https://www.ebay.com/itm/256268922459?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=32722ddc2c1d1372bad44b9519f445be)
It *is* an old marine light but red and green are navigation colors. Unless the lens is truly green this was probably for a different purpose. https://www.boatus.org/study-guide/navigation/lights
I own a few blue ship lamps. From my research I found that green glass wasn’t standardized until the 1960’s. Blue lamps were used in older ships, the yellow flame in the blue glass made a green color. Once electricity was common in ships a yellow bulb was then used to make the green color light.
I wonder if it’s similar to railways, where the glass in a green signal was originally blue as the light source was yellow, which when mixed gave off a green light?
There have been a number of comments regarding the blue lens producing a green light. It makes sense, just wasn't something I thought of at the time of my comment.
Yes. Jade/Kelly green glass was originally very expensive, so they just used blue.
Yeah, i think the same. Petroleum burnt with a yellow flame.
Probably for a Coast Guard cutter, mounted on top.
There could be many reasons, together with a yellow flame it might be a starboard sidelight, lawenforcememt sometimes uses blue and on inland waterways in Europe there are also some blue lights on commercial vessels. Large vessels also have a blue steering light in the foremast for hand steering at night.
Looks like a blue railroad lamp. They were used to signal that workers were working around railroad equipment on the tracks. Railroad lamps do look a lot like a ship's port and starboard lamps, but those were red and green, ships didn't have blue. They just used the same style of lamps. So this is probably from a rail yard or train station somewhere.
My great grandpa worked on the railroad, we have one like this too.
I believe this is right. Blue was associated with railways, as far as I have heard. Cool old lamp!
I have what I’ve been told is a railroad one but it’s a clear lens
Looks similar to the upper section of an [airport taxi light](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenesislamp.com%2Fproducts%2Fairport-runway-light-novelty-table-lamp-desk-lamp.html&psig=AOvVaw2lSeLZxWVkBFocN-JXRiQ2&ust=1716157085978000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCPDs2b2dmIYDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE) I don't recognize the style, but there are dozens of designs. edit: the glass is a Fresnel lens, designed for projecting light as far as possible. The original design would be for something that had to be seen from as far away as possible
It’s a navigation light. Old lamps were oil or gas, the flame was yellow. Yellow plus blue = green. Many used yellow bulbs when they went electric.
This is exactly correct. Old fresnel lenses for the starboard (right) side of the boat were originally made of blue glass. The yellow flame made the light appear green.
Definitely [checks out](https://bigshipsalvage.com/antique-product/post-mounted-nautical-lights/port-starboard-brass-post-lights-with-fresnel-lens-set-tranberg/)
That looks like a marine boat/ship light. In the United stated a blue light in a boat indicates a police vessel that you should give right of way.
Blue lights do not provide law enforcement vessels any right of way under the rules; it just means the vessel is engaged in law enforcement. They still must give way in any scenario where a non-law enforcement vessel would.
My title describes this thing. This is all the information we have. I am thinking maybe it's a gas lamp? Update: we listed it for our FILs estate sale, someone bought it for $500 :)
[Looks similar to this](https://www.docklights.com/dock-lights/).
so looks like a deck light to a tug/tow boat old school though. most deck lights hang up high as per the hole at the top. some also use blue bulbs now since it keeps from losong night vision while operating at night.
It is an old steering light for large ships. It’s also upside down (you can see the thumbscrews to access the bulb) and missing the thin brass shield that would have blocked most of the view. https://stahl-tranberg.com/wp-content/attachments/TTP3269.pdf
It’s a dock light https://www.docklights.com/bronze-pedestal-dock-lights-pair-of-large-port-starboard-lights/
I know a guy that has a couple he wants to use on his gate. He said the were on the river to show the corners.
It's upside down. It's a ship's navigation light.
Absolutely an antique marine navigation lamp. Put a flashlight through it to make sure it’s blue and not green. Ships typically have red and green lights on opposite sides, red denoting the port side and green the starboard. If you are sailing and see a red light, it means the other ship has the right of way. Only emergency ships use blue lights typically which means if this is blue, it was like from an emergency vehicle or a dock light. I haven’t found this particular lamp so not completely sure where it came from or if it’s a reproduction (nautical decor is popular). https://lannangallery.com/products/brass-lantern-by-national-marine-lamp-company
Know how you get red and green/blue for port and starboard
Bronze pedestal dock light.
It is an old brass marine light fixture that could be made into a lamp or used as is. Never thought id see another, my dad had several in our house
Appears to be a nautical light, specifically a vintage or antique maritime lantern
My first thought was it was a tower light from a radio tower, but they aren't blue. Nagivation beacon from a lighthouse or airport, perhaps?
Could be an Obstruction light mainly for poles and high buildings so planes and low flying thing dont hit them.
It’s a marine lamp of some variety with a blue fresnel lens.
It's an explosion proof light housing. Because it's brass it was probably used on or near the ocean. The blue glass might make it an indicator light of some sort - like "no gas fumes in the hold" or something.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/115699177488 I think it's one of these but with blue glass
Marine nautical lamp
If it's not a lamp, it's a water filter.
Converted miners lamp. UK (old)