History of the British Army Torch/Flashlight through WWI-WWII
Article about: The British Army Torch The following four torches date from 1917 to 1941 and show a progression in design... This first example is a good representation of the WWI hand torch. It is 11.5 inc
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History of the British Army Torch/Flashlight through WWI-WWII
The British Army Torch
The following four torches date from 1917 to 1941 and show a progression in design...
This first example is a good representation of the WWI hand torch. It is 11.5 inches in length and is powered by four modern D Cell batteries.
A view of the interior, showing the bulb.
These early British torches featured bullseye lenses, similar to civilian torches of the period.
The spring loaded ON/OFF button located directly behind the lens has a floating type Morse key that allows signaling with dots and dashes extremely easy.
The majority of the metal tubular body is covered in a imitation leather oilcloth with a pebbled finish, along with mounts made of nickel-plated brass.
The particular torch was made by The EFANDEM Company, Limited of Wolverhampton in 1917. Note the serial number and Broad Arrow.
The Efandem Company took its name from the initials of the two original directors (F. and M.). During the Great War, the firm concentrated on producing items such as torches, torch batteries, searchlights and sirens. A wonderful company history can be found here…
Efandem Company Limited
A view of the Efandem Factory in 1922.
Two photographs of workers assembling torches and hand lamps inside the factory.
The base of this first example is made TEC (for The Efandem Co), along with ‘BRITISH MAKE’.
This next example is the shorter 9.25 inch type which fits three modern D Cell batteries.
The example appears to have been made in 1919. Efandem took out 20 UK patents during its lifetime, including a 15th May 1919 patent for ‘A belt-clip for an electric torch’.
Although this example never had a belt clip attached, it appears to have the holes drilled into the base fitting to accommodate one.
A view of the base opened, showing the internal sping.
The base of this example is also marked TEC. But in addition to ‘BRITISH MAKE’, it also has “PAT.APLD.FOR” included.
The next example jumps ahead into the 1930s and shows very little change in design from the WWI style torches. It appears that the imitation leather finish on this example was replaced with thin brown leather at some point.
This torch feathers a substantial brass belt hook with black enamel pant finish, introduced in 1919.
After the war, Efandem was in a poor financial state and the Managing Director was convicted of embezzling money. At the beginning of 1925, the company was purchased by the Ever Ready Company (Great Britain), Limited and the Wolverhampton factory continued to produce dry batteries and radio receivers (as well as torches, it would seem). This torch was made by Ever Ready in 1937 and features a serial number and Broad Arrow.
A December 1937 Advert for Ever Ready.
The last example shown here is a radical departure from the previous design. Driven by wartime economy, it is made from pressed steel components and is painted drab throughout.
It features a sliding alloy power button. It appears that this button can also be pressed to send Morse Code signals.
It also retains the belt clip from the previous design.
The lens is a simple piece of glass, rather than a bullseye lens, with a pressed steel rim that twists onto body of the torch.
A view of the interior, showing the bulb.
The base is also of pressed steel and is attached with a bayonet socket.
This example was made by P&H, Limited of Birmingham in 1941. It features a Broad Arrow.
An advert for P&H from July 1936.
I hope this history has been interesting. If anyone has any further information on there torches, it would be a welcome addition!
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Great post! thanks for sharing!
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