Two Light Questions

These guys are likely on the right track with polarity but you cannot just "turn it around" This is an 1891, single contact, bayonet base.

So, I do not know how the socket is wired. It is above ground, as the switch grounds the circuit, but it may be factory wired with power to the shell instead of the contact. The way to find out is pull the socket and stick a meter to the shell and see if the shell is hot or ground. If it is hot, then you could cut the wiring and reverse the two wires Before you do THAT however, take the bare bulb and jerry rig to a battery, then turn it around so the contact is on NEG. If it lights "backwards" the bulb is wired backwards, which is doubtful. If it will not light either way, it is simply defective