unknown medium swan neck bracket
This bracket with its associated fuse box is a complete mystery. I’ve not been able to positively
identify the manufacturer.
The top clamp holding the distinctive scrollwork is missing and will have to be replaced. The fuse box
is also missing its cover; a pity as that would’ve aided identification. The fuse box features a
unique spigot design which includes vertical ribbing not seen in other designs.
(I've tried to match a REVO fuse box cover but it's too small.)
The lantern is also a mystery. It appears to be a general exterior light fitting and not designed for street lighting
at all. It would’ve originally included a deep clear-glass cover; the well-known "Well Glass" lantern.
This bracket and lantern were part of the “horde”, a cache of brackets and lanterns discovered in a barn in Surrey.
The other brackets and lanterns were all standard fittings used in Surrey between the 1940s and 1970s (a collection of a
REVO Lodestar and various ESLA Bi-Multi Group "A"
lanterns on medium sized Lucy brackets).
I felt this lantern and bracket weren’t used for street lighting at all. That was until I saw some pictures
taken at the Amberley Museum which featured two examples of this bracket and lantern. (Unfortunately both had
lost their glass covers as well). However, it does prove that this combination was used for street lighting after all.
More provenance of this lantern was found when this survivor in Buckfastleigh, Devon was discovered. (Thanks to Davy Warren).
"I believe I may be able to shed some light on it (excuse the pun), because of the distinctive
mounting spigot and its vertical ribbing. Like you say, it is not something which has been adopted by
other makers."
"Well, I may be wrong on this, however as far as I'm aware, there was only one foundry which produced
swan necks with this design - John Needham & Sons Ltd of Portwood, Stockport in Cheshire.
Needhams were established in 1834 and were famous for their ironworks such as manhole covers and grids.
They did however also produce small street lighting columns (cast iron), most of which ended up in the local
UDC areas. Many of them still survive locally, but their numbers are in decline of late."
"The firm closed in the 1970s, however the extensive foundry survives as an industrial estate."
"If you look up '4 South View, Woodley' on Googlemaps / GSV, it will show the column quite clearly and
its distinctive spigot. It is the only cast iron one in the street (it was painted green in the late 90s
by myself)." - Andrew.
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