Old brass bicycle lamp from the early 1900s

Old brass bicycle lamp, working with carbide.

Carbide lamps (especially in the early 1900s). The lamp works by dripping water onto some solid carbide (calcium carbide) in the bottom of the lamp. The chemistry creates a gas (acetylene gas), which is led up to a nozzle, where it is lit with a match. This produces a very strong, white light.

In beautiful antique condition.