Early Pair of Muntz Metal Co. English Copper-Zinc Founts w/Barton Porcelain Burners

A very unique set to find today are these very collectible pair of copper-zinc inserts of old nautical lamps.They appear to be in good general condition. George Fredrick Muntz, a metal-roller of Birmingham, England, commercialised and patent the alloy of 60% copper and 40% zinc in 1832. At one time they burned either oil or grease.  They are rectangle shaped copper, welded on the bottom, with attached triangular hangers. The burner tops are porcelain with the words "Trademark, Barton's," with a small figure in the center with a "S.S." The bottom of one lamp is stamped "Muntz's Metal Company, Limited," "Muntz's 14 patent, '77, Birmingham." Muntz Metal Company, Ltd. ran from 1864 to 1921. The other lamp is not stamped on the bottom, but it is identical. The wick raiser works on each lamp. The wick turner & burner slide in and out rather than twist on as later lamps do. One burner tilts slightly to the side and one ear of the porcelain top is chipped off. These are old imperfections, not new. The wick raisers are marked on the wheels, "Barton Burner Co, Birmingham." The patina on the lamps is original; we have not cleaned them. Dimensions of the lamps are: 3" wide, 4 1/2" long, and 3 1/4" tall to the porcelain tops. A special set of lamps for the discriminating collector of early pieces!

Please view the ten larger pictures below!