MTFCA Forum

I saw this gas table lamp at the local historical society museum this past weekend.
Can someone explain to me what is above the glass globe?
To me it looks like the little lever to the left closes the 2 cups to snuff out a flame, but for what?

I believe that's part of the (gas) generator. It may be that the half globes on the threaded pipes would be closer together when in operation, or a part may be missing. I think they are for regulating the amount of air mixed with the gas. (?)

You'd shut off or regulate the lamp by turning down or turning off the gasoline at the base/font.

Liquid gasoline would travel up the very small pipe that looks like a wire. Some pre-heat of the generator might be necessary. (?) The larger pipe would carry gasified fuel and air to the burner, which probably had a rare earth mantle (like a Coleman gasoline lantern) to give a very bright light.

Natural gas or "city gas" lighting used to be common. Wellsbach was one manufacturer. I've seen gasoline clothes irons, but never a gasoline lamp like that. The irons had a font very much like that one.