The Justrite company started in 1906 in Chicago Illinois making lamps and lanterns, primarily for the mining industry. They produced common “skating lanterns” which were very popular in the upper Midwest United States. These skater’s lanterns used common lamp oil or kerosene and were similar in build to their carbide No. 10 and 12 lanterns. Today the company makes safety cannisters and cabinets…a bit of a departure from their original products.

The Justrite carbide lanterns numbers 10 and 12 were marketed to campers, fishing enthusiasts, and miners alike. The only difference between the numbers 10 and 12 respectively were the sizes of the fonts. The Number 12 had a larger font for water and larger capacity for carbide. It also had a wheel flint striker so you would not need a match. I demonstrated lighting the lantern in my video and showed you could even use a ferro rod’s sparks to easily light it.

The lanterns used what is called a plunge system that allows water in gradually as gases of acetylene escapes or burns off. This is radically different from the common drip system used on common miner’s helmet lamps. Both models used a fish eye lens to increase the projection of light at a distance and a small polished reflector. I tested it on a pitch black night and my Number 10 reached 50 feet, removing the reflector would cast light in surrounding direction. The globe is made from thick break-resistant glass and could be removed easily by slipping the folding wire bail handle off of the spring latch.