*British, WW1, Brass Trinity House Pattern Ship’s Signalling Lamp by Eli Griffiths & Sons, Birmingham*
An original First World War era brass ship’s signalling lamp, manufactured by Eli Griffiths & Sons, Birmingham, in the Admiralty-approved Trinity House pattern. Constructed in heavy brass with a pierced ventilated base, large convex bulls-eye lens to the front, inspection windows to the sides, and both its fixed side handle and folding wooden carry handle above.
The front bears the full impressed stamp “ELI GRIFFITHS & SONS, BIRMINGHAM, 191–”, securely dating it to the WW1 period, while the base of the burner is additionally marked with the maker’s abbreviation “E.G.&S.”.
Dimensions: approx. 35cm tall (excluding handle), 15cm base diameter.
Historical Note:
The Trinity House pattern signalling lamp was a standardised design introduced for naval and merchant service in the late 19th century and widely used through the First World War. These lamps were employed for short-range communication at sea, transmitting Morse code by means of a sliding shutter that covered and uncovered the powerful beam of light from the convex lens.
Eli Griffiths & Sons, established in Birmingham during the mid-19th century, were prominent manufacturers of brass miners’ and ships’ lamps, and supplied high-quality examples to commercial and naval users during the war years.
*Condition*
The lamp is in good original condition with an attractive patina, showing dents, scuffs, and surface wear consistent with age and shipboard service. The convex front lens is intact, as are the smaller inspection glasses. The burner remains present but is untested. The sliding shutter assembly is missing, leaving the front slot visible, though this does not detract from its value as an original WW1 period lamp. Both handles remain sturdy, including the original wooden grip. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
