Lot 248: A Large Meteorite copper and brass ships port lantern 57cm tall

A copper and brass ships navigation port lantern of cylindrical form with a conical top. The copper body features a brass swing bale handle to the top and a fixed copper handle to the rear. A brass mounting bracket is riveted to one side. The front contains a large clear glass Fresnel lens which is backed by an internal red glass filter. A brass plate embossed with the word PORT is riveted to the conical section, while a rectangular brass plate below the lens is embossed METEORITE with PATENT NO 546575 AND OTHERS PENDING. The top of the lantern has a circular hinged lid that opens to reveal internal concentric ventilation cylinders.