This is an extremely rare all original United States Life Saving Service beach flare, circa 1870-1900. These were used to set up rescue equipment such as the breeches buoy and the life car, they were also used to mark the position from where the boat was launched on shore and possibly for boarding vessels as well. Seldom are these found with this many original parts, when found at all. The lifesaving stations were often integrated into the sites of US Lighthouse Establishment/ Service installations and may be of interest to lighthouse artifact collectors as well. Pieces identical to this are featured in displays in museums across the country, including two examples at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI and one at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum's US Weather Bureau Building exhibit in Sault St. Marie, MI. Fewer examples of this type of lantern can be found compared to most other pre-USCG artifacts from the USLSS, USLHS, USLHE, or the USRCS. This is a very rare and historically significant item.