WW2 GERMAN ARMY BAKELITE CARBIDE TRENCH LANTERN
This is very unusual and wonderfully represents the German's use of Bakelite, a pre-war plastic forerunner that was most often encountered in field phones, fuse containers and MG 34 butt stocks.
This carbide hand lantern is constructed of 90% Bakelite, it features three glass window panes, a concave mirror, a folding Bakelite carry handle and an aluminum attachment hook for hanging that bears a clear Waffenamt marking (WaA). Normally there would have been an aluminum shutter on the in front of the lamp, however this is unfortunately missing on this example.
The lamp measures 11" in height and over 18" if suspended on the chain. Beautifully constructed and well designed this says a lot for German manufacturing skills during a difficult time. Extremely rare.