Product Details

This object is a pair of antique railroad cinder goggles (also known as safety or dust glasses) from the mid-to-late 19th century, typically dating between the 1850s and 1880s.Key Details & FunctionPurpose: They were designed for early railroad passengers, train firemen, and engineers. Early steam engines produced immense amounts of flying ash, soot, and burning cinders, making eye protection crucial.Design Features: They feature glass lenses surrounded by flexible, form-fitting wire mesh side cups to block debris from entering at an angle. They utilize a simple string tie rather than modern elastic or solid temples.Storage: They are paired with their original, form-fitting oval tin protective case.Similar variations were also used as military artillery goggles during the Civil War era to protect soldiers from black powder residue.