Vintage Antique Glass Lens for Solar 56 Brass Driving Lantern Head, Side Lamp

Description

This sale is for a reproduction glass lens to replicate the lens found on a brass automobile headlamp from the early 1900's.  The lamp was made by the Badger Brass Company in Kenosha Wisconsin.  The model number is SOLAR 56.  The listing is for the lens only for that lamp.
These lamps were used on a number of early automobiles.
The lens itself is made in a mold, just like the original lens.  The glass is not optically clear which matches the optical characteristics of the original molded lens.  Both the reproduction and the original lenses are 4 ⅞" in diameter.  Both have a 1" dish.  Both have a smooth convex shape with a ¼" lip on the inside of the lens.
The reproduction lens is virtually indistinguishable in apparence from the original.  However, the original Solar 56 lamp lens shattered easily.  The reproduction is made from a treated, tempered glass and is extremely strong and very resistant to damage.
Attempts to make a ground glass lens with modern glass grinding techniques simply do not make a faithful reproduction of this lens.  The ground glass lenses never get sufficient curvature and they do not have a smooth outside surface nor inside lip.  The only way to faithfully reproduce this lens is to mold it and that is what has been done with this reproduction.  If you have Solar 56 lamps and have had to make reproduction ground glass lenses, or even if you have original molded lenses, it is not a major undertaking to take those out and to put the faithful reproduction lenses in instead.  You might consider doing this not only to make your lamps look correct but also to keep the lenses from breaking.  I can put you in touch with a shop that can make the swap fairly easily.  Just let me know.
In the various photos a comparison is made between a real lens and the reproduction.  The real lens is in the lamp with the blue tape on the bale.  Please note that it is only the glass lens that is offered for sale here.  The Solar 56 lamps are not for sale.  These various photos are simply for comparison.
Please note that there were numerous lenses for brass lamps that were molded in the early 1900's.  This is the only one that I have and the only one that I can make.