WWII German Bakelite Lantern with Hanging Hook & Karbid Container

[Gunny Hartmann]

Very interesting item.

[Rossi]

Did some more digging on these. Guess being multi purpose the railway workers could have used this lantern as well.

The German Army finds many uses for the carbide lantern. In the instruction booklet which accompanies each spare-parts kit, that the lantern be used As follows:

a. For lighting personnel and equipment shelters, including dugouts;

b. For lighting small offices, communications centers, and improvised field stables;

c. For lighting closed vehicles;

d. For reading maps, compasses, and so on;

e. For tunnel work, unless safety lamps are required because of explosive gases (the handle is fitted with a hook for work of this type);

f. For railroad personnel;

g. As a signal lantern for ponton bridge engineers.

[Anderson]

Great looking lamp Rossi.

[Rossi]

Great looking lamp Rossi.

Thank you. Might have a couple more new ones soon to post as well. Fingers crossed.

Rossi

[MG42UK]

Thread resurrection:

I also have one of these lanterns, they are really nice, but I am now also aware that Bakelite was made with asbestos, also mine seems to have a white material in the top, which I assume is asbestos, but there to insulate against fire/heat. Does anyone have a view in whether this is actually dangerous to keep indoors, or whether this is indeed asbestos, and therefore potentially dangerous (pls see pics)?

Thanks