Wardle 4272 'Solar' open SO/H lantern

1951, the UK's housing crisis post WWII was still in a state of recovery, leading to many housing estates being built left right and centre. Lighting manufacturers were quick to realise this new market, launching ranges of minimalistic simple equipment at rock bottom prices.

This is Wardles iteration, the Solar, made for 45w SO/H lamps. The design of the lantern appears to be so any upwards light is directed down by two 'winged' reflectors and nothing more, earning the lanterns their 'seagull' nickname. The design was only intended to last 20 or so years, owing to how downright simple they are, in fact they were probably a very outdated design no more than 5 years after they were first installed.

The lantern seen here came from an estate in Rochdale, where multiple examples still existed 62 years later. It was 2013 when they were all removed, thankfully all saved and distributed to various collectors. I received this example on its now 70'th year of being in existence, and time certainly hasn't been kind to it. Its severely rusted all over, a screw for the (heavy) lamp holder housing has rusted away completely, most of the screws, the lamp clip and lamp support need replacing, and both reflectors are sadly totally shot. The area the earth screw is located has also rusted away meaning I will need to rebuild that area and drill a new location for the screw. Overall this means a very thorough, but in my opinion very well deserved restoration. This will also see a return to its original green colour, of which some still remains.