Hello, Rory - Your Adlake lantern is most likely stamped steel with an iron
wire bale. Check it with a magnet. These were cheaply made (the railroads
were cheap - bought these things by the thousands). The frames were hot dipped
galvanized (zinc coated) to forestall rusting. This gave them a bright shiny
silver look when new, but they quickly weathered to a dark metallic gray. This
is probably the patina you're talking about. I've had real good luck cleaning
frames with "FANTASTIK' spray cleaner (from the grocery store) using a
toothbrush or similar soft brush. Just scrub away, rinse with hot water, and
dry with a towel. Don't use a wire brush - that would take all the zinc off.
PAW
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