WELCOME TO OIL LAMP RESCUE!

RESCUING CENTER DRAFT ANTIQUE OIL & KEROSENE LAMPS 


Since 2008, Oil Lamp Rescue! has rescued, restored, and sold over 400 center draft oil lamps dating from the 1880s - 1930s!
This web site contains antique center draft oil lamps that have been rescued by Oil Lamp Rescue!  After the lamps are rescued, two categories are offered for sale - Still in Oil (never converted or returned to oil operation) and Converted to Electricity.

Examples and varieties of lamp previously restored and sold by Oil Lamp Rescue are also shown on this site. If you are looking for a particular style of lamp, either still in oil or converted to electricity, and don't see it for sale at this time, please contact us for availability and pricing.  Given the age and scarcity of most of these antique lamps, they are often "one-of-kind" so availability is often limited.

Oil Lamp Rescue also offers repair services for your oil lamp or converted oil lamp.  Please submit email on contact page for details!

MORE ABOUT ANTIQUE CENTER DRAFT OIL AND KEROSENE LAMPS

Center draft oil and kerosene lamps were manufactured in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These lamps, often considered works of art, were made of brass (some were given nickel plating to minimize the need for polishing), and were produced by a large number of U.S. manufacturers. Some lamps used a removable brass oil pot that fit in a larger vase lamp holder, with the holder typically made of either brass or glass. Others were mammouth lamps produced for "store" use and had a very large font that held enough oil to burn for 8 or more hours.  All these lamps were called "center draft" because their design incorporated a hollow tube that ran up the center of the lamp and produced an air draft, that, when combined with a circular wick around the tube and a "flame spreader" at the top of the tube, produced a brighter light than simple flat wick oil lamps.  There were a wide variety of center draft models and designs, ranging from very simple to quite ornate.  These lamps were usually the center of attention every night in many households!  Sadly, once electricity came along, they were no longer needed.  Many were dumped in the dark and musty attic, basement, or barn and forgotten for years. They became tarnished and dirty until being rescued and given new life.  After careful cleaning and polishing, they have been restored to how they looked in their glory days, many complete with original parts when discovered!  Many of the battle scars on these antique lamps could not be erased, but the lamps are glad to be out of the barn and given a chance to be useful again. Because of your interest, they are destined to light a nice home - being admired and maybe even becoming the center of attention once again!

CONVERTED CENTER DRAFT OIL LAMPS

Most center draft oil and kerosene lamps were converted for use with electricity during the 1920's and 1930's, when electricity became commonly available for most people. The conversion process involved inserting an on/off switch, and adding a light bulb socket and electrical wiring. Unfortunately, that usually meant drilling holes into and cutting the draft tubes in the lamps, in many cases permanently defacing the lamp.  Many lamps can be restored back to burning oil, but for those who actually prefer the convenience of electric operation, converted oil lamps are offered here for sale. They have been cleaned, polished, and rewired - making them compatible for use as electrified lamps. These are especially nice for someone who loves the ambiance of antique oil lamps but prefers the ease of electric operation. Most electrified lamps have an available period glass shade and tripod shade holder.

PURCHASE LAMPS FROM OIL LAMP RESCUE!

Click on the button above for the Online Store. Lamps are being rescued all the time so please contact us for more information! 

Thanks for your appreciation of antique center draft oil lamps and we look forward to hearing from you!

OIL LAMP RESCUE!
Michael D. Moore
mdmoore107@gmail.com
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