yeah, that's right, colorado had a northern coal field-lignite lays in a flat bed varying from 2-20 ft in thickness and ranging in depth from outcrops to 400+feet in a belt extending from marshall to frederick, colorado, just east of where i live. all mining ceased as of 1975 and unfortunately not much evidence of the industry remains on the surface.

its doubtful that any mine openings remain since the horizontal beds were accessed with shafts and the workings are most likely filled with water. the state of colorado had a pretty aggressive reclamation program that closed them up and now most of the region is experiencing sub-urbanization at an unbelieveable rate. there are a few mine fires still burning, subsidence is an issue in certain areas and developments and shopping centers are named after the mines they stand over-a few of reminders of colorado's coal mining history.....

any thoughts on the age, etc, of my cap?

http://www.ironminers.com/mineforum/vie ... php?t=1207

also, any experts out there on colorado coal mining?

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-Thou shalt not little vein-

Hey John, thats sweet! A colorado northern field!

Those caps were used in the 1800s a LOT. In old pictures, the classic "headlamp" was a soft cap with an oil wick lamp. then later they were used with carbide and even edison lamps. When it was made though who knows........... i have a soft cap but mine is almost new...... Chris has one tooo.... but i don't know how old it is..

Most of them seem to be orange

Stick an oil wick on 'er and it'll look perfect

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This ain't longwall... this is long hole!

Banks,
If you have an orange cap, it was most likely used for coon hunting, not down in the mines. Carbide lamps were very popular years ago for hunting raccoons at night. The caps used to hold the carbide lamps were of the same pattern as those used in the mines. The only difference was the orange color, which was added for safety. While It's not totally impossible that orange caps were used underground, it does seem unlikely.

Either way, the caps are still great to find and collect. They also hold an oil wick perfectly!

interesting.......... hmmmm cause you almost always see them in orange. It would make sence though.

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This ain't longwall... this is long hole!

Hey Banks, it won't make any difference in black and white photos!

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"If you thought old, abandoned mines were only in the west, then you haven't been to IronMiners.com!"

well mine aint orange-its tan. and it anit no damn coon huntin cap... i got me a extry special one fer that.

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-Thou shalt not little vein-

Chris's is orange.

of course mine says Mahanoy City Centennial across it.............. oh well...

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This ain't longwall... this is long hole!