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MODEL 1906 STONEBRIDGE FOLDING LANTERN – US ARMY
MARKED - WORLD WAR ONE TRENCH LANTERN IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION – ALL EISENGLASS PANELS INTACT:
An early 20th
Century invention, these Folding Lanterns were patented
and produced beginning in 1900 by the Stonebridge
Manufacturing Company in New York City.
An ingenious design which
provided a full sized lantern that folded without
disassembly into a flat, easily stored and carried unit,
but when deployed provided a full sized source of
light.
While these lanterns were produced for the civilian
markets, at some point prior to World War One the
Stonebridge Manf. Co. began producing the lanterns under
contract for the US Army which were embossed as is this
specimen with “U.S.” framed on each side with the
Subsistence Department crescent moon insignia. This
three character grouping has been noted on other
Subsistence Department property such as ration crates
and in one notable example, a Model 1904 McClellan
Saddle and M1908 Officer’s Saddle Cloth found as a set
years ago.
Why the Subsistence Department is the only US Army
insignia found on these lanterns is unknown. Perhaps
the contract for supplying the lanterns to the army was
issued through the Subsistence Department and then they
were issued out as needed to other units.
Issued at least through the First World War, these well
designed lanterns were used extensively in the trenches
“Over There”, and are pictured on page 46 of the
World War One Collector’s Handbook, by Otoupalik,
Gordon and Schultz.
This specimen is in remarkable condition, with 100% of
the original tin plating intact, and more importantly
all three (front and two sides) of the eisenglass panels
are present and fully intact with no splits or tears.
These eisenglass panels, actually the mineral "mica"
formed into sheets, are seldom found present, much less
intact. All of the brass fittings are present and show
the same excellent condition as the outer surfaces and
frame.
In excellent condition, this Stonebridge Folding Lantern
will be a unique addition to your World War One trench
equipment display. (0405) $275
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