Today is….

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

.. NATIONAL FLASHLIGHT DAY!!! 
 @953 nut how could you have missed this one . 
  Yeah yeah, maybe it’s because I have 200 or so old flashlights here, many are over 100 years old. 
 

“National Flashlight Day is celebrated on December 21, coinciding with the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. This day highlights the importance of flashlights, a simple yet essential tool in our lives. Originating from the invention of the dry cell battery and the mini incandescent light bulb, flashlights have illuminated our paths in darkness and served various practical purposes. National Flashlight Day not only celebrates the utility of the flashlight but also aligns with the winter solstice, emphasizing the significance of light during the darkest times.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 76,079]

Very cool! 

[SylvanLakeWH 29,995]

11 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Very cool! 

 

Very illuminating!!! 

[squonk 44,975]

I'm sure your wife is happy you don't have as many snow blades as you do flashlights! 

[c-series don 10,851]

I wonder if she ever said “Is that a flashlight in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?” 🤣🤣🤣

[squonk 44,975]

30 minutes ago, c-series don said:

I wonder if she ever said “Is that a flashlight in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?” 🤣🤣🤣

Is that with or without the batteries? 

[WHX?? 53,453]

Way cool Sparky ... that Winchester battery is awesome.  The date on it might suggest it was made for the war effort? 

Many remind me of ones we used to "borrow" from dad to go night crawler hunting. 

[Ed Kennell 43,929]

4 hours ago, squonk said:

Is that with or without the batteries? 

Those 82yo batteries are probably dead antway.

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said:

Those 82yo batteries are probably dead antway.

   Very very dead. I’m just amazed at the condition of the battery, no leakage and the paper label in intact and legible. 

[WHX?? 53,453]

4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Those 82yo batteries are probably dead anyway. 

Yah think Ed Dog? 

Regardless myself being a Winchester Repeating Arms historian and a WWII military buff it's off the hook. 

Anything else military Mike? 

[953 nut 63,296]

10 hours ago, Sparky said:

@953 nut how could you have missed this one . 

Father Mike I beg for forgiveness for my shortcoming. Obviously this was an unforgivable oversite and as penitent gesture I will say 100 Uni-Drives and 50 Tach-A-Matics.

If I were to confess all my sins it would go like this

[953 nut 63,296]

OMG    I did overlook it.              

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-flashlight-day-day-of-winter-solstice

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

49 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

OMG    I did overlook it.              

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-flashlight-day-day-of-winter-solstice

 
 You’re more than forgiven … your contributions to RS are noted and appreciated and missing National Flashlight Day isn’t a big deal (none of my friends sent me a NFD card , it’s almost like nobody knew about it, odd right  ) 

[oldlineman 1,613]

This is one my father brought home from Europe during WWII, don't know the history, but he was a combat medic in Europe from June 9, 1944 till the end of the war in Europe. Wish I would have ask more question when he was here,( he passed Feb.18th 2018 at age 94) but we only found it when cleaning out house after my mother's passing last Feb. 9th age 99. Bob

[Handy Don 15,366]

With the pin and the USN engraving, makes me think it was a lamp to be pinned to clothing as a locator akin to the strobes on emergency lift jackets these days.

Edited December 22 by Handy Don

[oldlineman 1,613]

No info. on how he acquired it, would be nice to know its history. It does work. Any history on this item would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Bob

[Handy Don 15,366]

48 minutes ago, oldlineman said:

No info. on how he acquired it, would be nice to know its history. It does work. Any history on this item would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Bob

Google "US Navy Pilot Survival Flashlight”

Lots of info and many for sale!

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

39 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Google "US Navy Pilot Survival Flashlight”

Lots of info and many for sale!

Go figure..I have one in my collection .

  Even with brand new batteries it’s not very bright, would hate to be lost and depending on it to be seen/found. 

 

[oldlineman 1,613]

Yes not very bright in todays LED standard's, but probably pretty good in 1940 standard's. Would be nice to know how a WWII combat Army Medic in Europe in 1944 wound up with a Navy Survival light. I figured he would have used it to treat wounded soldiers after dark.

Edited December 22 by oldlineman

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

6 hours ago, oldlineman said:

This is one my father brought home from Europe during WWII, don't know the history, but he was a combat medic in Europe from June 9, 1944 till the end of the war in Europe. 

 

 @oldlineman

  Yours looks to be a metal body. Mines plastic so not as old and with a different manufacturer. 
  
 

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,099]

@oldlineman

 

Historical BMG Flashlights

During World War II, BMG (Bridgeport Metal Goods, U.S.A.) manufactured flashlightsused by the military. Notable examples include the TL-122 series, with the TL-122D being one of the more advanced versions issued in late 1944. These flashlights featured:

• 90-degree angled heads for standard Army use
• Various body materials such as brass and early plastics (Bakelite)
• Integrated lens filters in blue, red, and clear, and spare bulbs for field versatility 

   

  1
• Compact designs like the USN BMG beacon lights with copper lining and pins for attachment to vests or fatigues, running on 1.3 volts with tungsten filament bulbs 
   

   

 

 

Purchasing and Collecting

For those interested in vintage BMG lights, platforms like eBay and Etsy provide auction and direct-sale listings for collectible flashlights, including brass, aluminum, and early plastic models with operational bulbs 

 

 

[WHX?? 53,453]

7 hours ago, Sparky said:

it’s not very bright,

Yeah I think they only had one d cell. WWII vintage ones would have been metal but then plastic in the late 60s. Every life jacket had one pinned on and when I was in the deck gang we had to go through 300 jackets and check all for working & new batteries. Early 80's they went to a strobe style.  A vast improvement. We tossed thousands of the old ones. Now they are even activated automatically by water. 

 

You have one of these Sparky? If not you can have this one. Just sits in a junk drawer. Standard GI  all through Vietnam to 90's or so.  I'm sure they  have something better now as these things were real junk. Worked when it felt like it and about as akin to stock  headlights. As @Achto  would say about like holding a candle in front of you. 

I put a led bulb in it but it still only works when it wants to.

They were also in strait version and on the boat spray bombed orange for emergency use only. Stowed in racks of three all over the sub. My division was responsible for checking them all. 

Edited December 23 by WHX??

[Lee1977 7,464]

I remember some of those, but I have moved on. All my flash lights are LED.  The only one I would still like to have was my exploshing proof. don't know who walk off with that.

Edited Wednesday at 08:33 PM by Lee1977