Another hobby of mine is collecting old kerosene style lanterns. One of the most reputable companies which still manufactures kerosene lanterns apparently was commissioned to build 5 lanterns which were used in KOTCS.
Unfortunately for us gearheads the only way to get one is to find an actual prop. These were not based on any particular lantern and were custom built by Kirkman to "look the part."
I do have a channel of communication with this company, so I might suggest that they build a short run of these lanterns if the interest is there. You guys let me know.
Here is what is stated on the W.T. Kirkman website - http://www.lanternnet.com/
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
What a surprise to see where the above lantern turned up when we went to see the latest Indiana Jones movie. Actually, there were five of these that we hand made to a very specific order about a year ago for Genre Productions, a prop company that was working on a "secret" movie project. The name of the movie they were to be used in was never revealed to us, not even a working title. "The lantern" is used and seen for about 5 minutes in the first half of the movie when Dr. Jones is "visiting" an ancient cemetery. The lanterns were built with specially cut "vent" holes to cast light back onto whoever was holding the lantern. The prop company used an ultra high powered, and very hot lamp as a light source, so the lanterns were made with welded and riveted construction so that they would hold up to the heat. Although these were not based on any specific lantern model of the past, they certainly "looked" the part.
On a side note, I love old lanterns, like most stuff from the early 1900s, so if any of you guys like older style lanterns and would like to buy one for occasional use at home, or for having around in case of a power outage, or just because they are a really cool thing to have (my reason), send me a PM. There are good ones, and there are not-so-good ones out there. There are current production of really cheap but high quality lanterns, but you have to find them.
