Does anybody knows what this is?

[Ollie Digger]

Hi there,

I recently found this item in a dumping pit.
other finds were some ww2 related bullets.
It looks like a rear light, but is seems to be very small for that. 10 x 10 cm.
anyone has an idea?

[tiffy]

Hi Ollie
It looks a bit like a 20's motorcycle Carbide rear light. It had a central chamber as part of the front light which contained calcium carbide with a water resovior above, open valve water trickles onto carbide result accetlyne and a stink. Light and close glass. There should be a fitting for a rubber pipe from the front light to the back light. great for warming hands & lighting pipe or fag.
Regards
Rob

[NickW]

Agree with Tiffy - Looks to be a 20s vintage small motorcycle or even bicycle carbide acetylene lamp - the red lens would suggest a rear lamp as you say. These lamps were usually made in sections that clipped together and the reflector / burner cover section was usually removable, possibly hence you only have that part or it is from a more sophisticated system with a central gas generator, such as that in the photo.