US Trench Lamp/Candle Holder?

964 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by taylora, Mar 23, 2010

Trenchwarfare

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2010

5

Picked this up today, at a gunshow. Guy originally bought it in a box full of bayonets. Don't know if it is, what it looks like it could be, but... Same principal as the candle holders made to fit the socket bayonets. You load the candle, from the bottom. Spring pressure pushes it up, as it burns. It doesn't lock in the slot of the M1917, but fits very well. Tried it on several bayonets, but fits best on the '17. Fits the '03 OK, but tilts to the side a little. The metal part is marked: THE SAFETY CO. NEW YORK. Globe/chimney is marked: STAR LIGHT inside a "Star of David" Coincedence? You be the judge.

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GUNNUT in Iowa

· #2 · Mar 21, 2010

That is very cool!
I have been collecting US Military stuff for quite some time and have never seen such a thing.
Thanks!

Gustaf B

· #3 · Mar 21, 2010

I am still pretty sure I do not like you, why don't I ever find cool stuff?

Trenchwarfare

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 21, 2010

Neither me GUNNUT. I figure, if it is what it looks like it is, they weren't very practical, and not widely used. Probably some mfg. trying to get a Gov. contract. Gus, you're not supposed to like me. I thought about you, the instant I bought it!:thumbsup: I'm thinking about wiring it for a battery, and a "flicker" bulb. I can do that, without altering it in any way.

Gustaf B

· #5 · Mar 21, 2010

That would be a great lighting accent for the collections room
Gus

unbekannt

· #6 · Mar 21, 2010

That's cool!!! Where did the glass come from?

Trenchwarfare

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 21, 2010

The glass came with it. Appears to be made for it.

GUNNUT in Iowa

· #8 · Mar 21, 2010

trenchwarfare said:
. . . they weren't very practical, and not widely used . . .

You are probably right on that. Best to sell it to me so folks don't point and laugh at you.

Gustaf B

· #9 · Mar 21, 2010

It is very likely that these were marketed to the families of servicemen (mothers) The marketing ploy would probably have been that these would make life in the trenches almost as comfortable as at home, there is a long list of such things, leather leggings and money belts are two that come to mind off hand.
Best
Gus
ps I do not care how lame it is, I still do not like you Trenchy, and I do not like you either Gunnut, for thinking you can jump line in trying to weasle it out of Trenchy,

bandook

· #10 · Mar 21, 2010

Very similar to the lamps they used in railway post office cars and in other railroad cars. The chimneys on those are a bit taller.

OldManKiller

· #11 · Mar 21, 2010

Seems to me that it would be practical in a "light tight" bunker or maybe even a tunnel.

GUNNUT in Iowa

· #12 · Mar 21, 2010

Gustaf B said:
. . .and I do not like you either Gunnut, for thinking you can jump line . . .

"Line"? I didn't see any line. :>)

RETREAD

· #13 · Mar 21, 2010

It is a wonderful item, and may be made for troops in the field. I can't see it being very durable with the little glass chimney, but then have never seen or heard of one these either. I once pulled a couple of US Army marked rat traps out of an old garage once, and those are pretty scarce. This one deserves more research. .

Trenchwarfare

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 22, 2010

This thing does require further research. Fitting on a bayonet may just be happenstance. The "bayonet catch", is very prolific in lighting, and photographic equipment. Looks like a production item, with the lug mount added.

taylora

· #15 · Mar 23, 2010

hey guys i actually have seen one before at a gun and antique show here guy had one with a couple of old oil lamps and i asked him what it was he siad they would stick them on bayonets and run them through the trenches or in the fox holes for lighting during the nights then he siad they went on to be used through the korean war intill flash lights was a 100% issued item

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