Miners’ safety lamp

Underground mining has always been dangerous, not the least from gas explosions caused by candles for lighting. This lead to the development of a variety of safety lamps that were intended to:
Provide adequate light
Did not trigger explosions
Warn of a dangerous atmosphere

The lamps were not that effective as the light given out by these lamps was poor indeed, worse than candles. The problem was not solved until the introduction of electric lighting around 1900 and the introduction of battery-powered helmet lamps in 1930.

This lamp is a latter model, called a locked flame safety lamp, meaning it could not be opened (to relight the lamp if it went out) except by an official. The lamps were particularly useful in detecting dangerous gases – particularly methane, and was used solely for this in mines with the introduction of battery lights, until the introduction of electronic gas detection systems.

The lamp is made of brass, so if dropped or knocked would not create a spark.