For your consideration is this Hawthorne Manufacturing Company "Old Sol" carbide bike lamp from 1898-1900. The Hawthorne Manufacturing Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, developed the "Old Sol" lamps primarily for bicycles and motorcyclists around the turn of the 20th century. In July 1915, the business marketed a larger Model 56 lamp for boats in "Motor Boating" magazine, highlighting its utility for motorboats and comparing it to a battleship's searchlight. These lamps used acetylene or oil as fuel and mirrors to focus the light. This lamp is marked on the top reading, "Old Sol / Made In U.S.A. by Hawthorne MFG Co. INC. / Bridgeport, Conn.". It utilizes a carbide construction, using water and calcium carbide to create a chemical reaction that produces acetylene gas. The gas is feed through a small tube into the lighting area where the gas is lit. It produced a bright, white flame creating adequate lighting for the lamp. The right and left side of the lighting area feature cut jewels, a red and a green for visibility on the sides of the lamp. The lamp shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its age and use over the years, but no signs of major damage is noted. It measures 6 7/8" L x 3 5/8" W x 6 1/2" H and weighs 1 pound and 4 ounces. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. HW184