Masthead Light, Perko, Early 20th Century

Due to it's amethyst colour, the Fresnel lens is likely to have been made of manganese dioxide decolorized glass which was produced up until about 1920.

The PERKO trademark was registered by Perkins Marine Lamp, Inc. in 1922. So a lens made from manganese dioxide glass after 1920 may be rare.

The casing is made of heavy cast brass or bronze.

The lens does have a couple of small chips and there is one brass nut missing from the top lid fixing.

The illumination shown in the product photos is produced by a small LED torch held behind the lens. A two second exposure time was used for photographic effect. There is no electrical fitting or globe inside the light, although it should be possible to add these if desired (POA).

PERKO is still manufacturing marine lights and lanterns in their large facitity in North Miami, Florida.

End of discription.