Offered is a genuine piece of World War I military history: an original Stonebridge Automatic Folding Candle Lantern. Engineered for durability and compact transport in the field, this collapsible trench lantern folds completely flat down to a pocket-sized footprint.

The peaked roof canopy features crisp, deeply embossed manufacturer specifications on both sides, complete with the iconic caduceus medical emblem stamped in the upper corner, denoting its historic association with the U.S. Army Medical Corps field operations.

The interior base is equipped with its original, self-adjusting flexible wire candle-clasp mechanism and features six rows of clean ventilation/drainage perforations. An internal metal draft deflector plates beneath the roof line shield the flame against severe winds while allowing smoke to exhaust efficiently. A highly collectible piece of early 20th-century campaign design and militaria.

Origin & Age

• Manufacturer: C.H. Stonebridge Mfg. Co., New York City, N.Y., U.S.A.

• Circa: 1914–1918 (Based on the 1906 & 1908 patent stamps and production run for wartime contract distribution).

Materials & Measurements

• Material: Galvanized sheet steel / tinned iron body; natural mica (isinglass) window inserts; steel wire bale handle.

• Dimensions (Unfolded / Erected): Approximately 10" Height (14" including extended wire handle) x 4-3/8" Depth x 3-7/8" Width.

Condition Report

• Honest, As-Found Antique Condition. This lantern retains its excellent original historic surface and untouched gray patina.

• Metalwork: Minor scattered oxidation, surface rust spots, and localized soot/candle residue consistent with authentic field deployment. The folding hinges and top latch remain fully functional.

• Mica Panels: The front and side panels are original isinglass. In line with its age, the panels display typical clouding, light delamination, and minor cracks/splits visible under close inspection, but they remain remarkably stable and well-retained by their original tabs. No modern restoration or cleaning has been performed to preserve historical integrity. Please review all high-resolution photos for close-up structural details.

Reference

• Reference Source: Camp Lighting: Inside the Century of Innovation, See also companion listings in comparative technological guides such as Anthony Thuro’s Oil Lamps: The Kerosene Era in North America series for early 20th-century non-kerosene utility and portable candle-power designs.

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