Revo C144474 lantern: Dating from the 1950's is this delightful little decorative post-top fitting (which contains no control gear) was designed for use with either 60w - 200w tungsten lamps, or 80w/125w mercury vapour discharge lamps. The C14474's base unit and matching canopy are made from cast aluminium (not spun-aluminium). However, the spigot cap base is a standard Revo cast-iron fitting with a 3/4 BSP threaded connector joining the base and spigot cap together. The lantern's cylindrical globe is constructed from a single sheet of opal Perspex that has been heated and rolled into shape, with the two open edges being bonded together to form the cylinder.  

Extract from a contemporary Revo catalogue of the era, illustrating the C14474 post-top lantern.

The lantern in the Collection.

One of two C14474's that survived on the gateway to an old 1950's council property in the West Midlands. However, during the first weeks of January 2007, one of these elderly lanterns was completely destroyed by vandals after sitting intact on it's wall mounting for some 50-years. Fortunately, the second lantern was rescued from almost certain oblivion by a kind maintenance electrician, who realised the remaining lantern was also in danger of being lost to vandalism. I was contacted by the electrian, who kindly passed the lantern on to me for safe keeping (Many thanks John). The lantern is in need of some attention having weathered the elements for half a century, and although slightly damaged, it is at least intact. Access to the lantern's interior is made by unscrewing the large knurled finial on top of the canopy, which allows the canopy and Perspex cylinder to be lifted clear of the base. Unfortunately, the knurled finial has seized into its threaded holder, so until it can be coaxed free, the lantern cannot be dismantled. Regardless, it's a lovely addition to the collection and must be one of the last remaining examples of this type of fitting still in existence.

The intact Revo C14474 post-top lantern in acquired condition in February 2007. Unfortunately, the opal Perspex cylinder, has partially split along the seam, and then cracked through the brittle Perspex at an angle. However, if properly repaired, this shouldn't be too noticeable.

The knurled finial is also a locking screw, which holds the canopy and Perspex cylinder firmly into place. Unfortunately, the threaded section beneath has seized solid, so access to the lantern's interior is presently impossible.

 By looking through the split in the cylinder, we can get a brief glimpse into this 1950's relic. Left: The climatic conditions inside the lantern have obviously be favourable to allow a small moss garden to grow in the base of the fitting! Also in the picture can be seen a retro-fitted plastic cable gland which has been installed to allow another feed to the lantern's  100w GLS lamp.  Right: Looking upward to the underside of the canopy, we can see the rusty support into which the knurled finial screws into.

Left: A picture of the lantern that was destroyed by vandals when still intact. Right, All that remained of the C14474 following its sad demise; typically, the lantern that was destroyed was the better of the two examples.