Port Side Lantern Appraisal

Vintage Ship's Port Side Navigation Lantern

This is a vintage maritime navigation lantern, traditionally known as a port light, identified by its red-tinted Fresnel lens meant for the left side of a vessel. The lantern is constructed from a heavy-gauge metal hull, likely copper or brass that has developed a dark, aged patina. It features a distinct ribbed Fresnel lens designed to intensify and focus the light beam over long distances at sea. The structure includes a cylindrical body with a tiered, vented chimney top for heat dissipation, a metal hanging loop, and a side-mounted metal reflector flap which is currently hinged open. The construction shows riveted assembly, typical of mid-20th-century maritime hardware. Despite the user's description as 'good condition,' the item exhibits significant surface dust, heavy cobwebs, and organic debris accumulation, suggesting it has been stored or displayed in an unmaintained environment for quite some time. The wiring visible trailing from the side indicates this was either a purpose-built electric version or, more likely, a late-period conversion from oil to electric for residential decorative use. There are no maker's marks or serial numbers visible in the provided image, but the design is consistent with maritime salvage from the 1940s to 1960s.