Wanted Expert on Aussie WW2 Equipment

[RobertCOUTTS]

I posted a flashlight some time ago, no one responded so I assumed it was either not military issue or no one knew what it was. Now some ebayer has sent me a message describing the torchs use is he correct cause I dont know this is the explanation given. Surely someone can confirm or deny if true I may keep the item.I am not sure of the correct name but I believe the light was used by machine gunners. On the back of the loght is a lug, this lug fits onto the standard pattern 1908 bayonet. The light was set out in front of a machine gun and where the small pull wire is to turn it off and on, a string was tied on and the light turned on and off by remote control.It was used at night for the machine gunners to identify their left and right arcs of fire. If I am wrong I stand corrected but I dont think I am . Gerry
Okay thats what Gerry thinks

[RobertCOUTTS]

Expert sought

okay this may be the lug.

[GCG1964]

Hello Rob.
I'm no expert on anything really, but I have had experience as a machine gunner in the army. I would suggest this maybe an early warning device, "trip wire" activated, possibly set out in front of the defending soldiers "dug in" positions. It could also be a signallers morse lamp. It looks from the photo (dont know it's size) to take "D" or "C" cell batteries. Standard practice for GPMG's left and right arcs of fire was the Mk1 padded "star picket". I know I would personally not want a light source facing back at me while I was trying to shoot the bad guys.
Having offered all that, which is only my opinion, I have never seen one of these anywhere in the Australian Army. Does it have any internal markings as It looks American to me.
Interesting piece, hope you find out.
Regards,
Graham.

[byterock]

Mine (as in diging up rocks) signal Lamp??

[99notout]

Hi there,

These are not all that common, but they were in fact used to control arcs of fire with the vickers etc in WW2. I have a couple of them, and just out of interst there is is one on ebay at present (not mine) Item number: 290291081517 . It is miss listed as a flashlight, but someone has corrected the lister with the correct information.

Cheers,

Grant