Head torch with pocket battery????

[Theodor]

Hi,

Got this torch today, can you please tell me more about it... It is German, WW2, a headpiece wired to a bakelite battery pocket box. Inside there is a WaA stamp in white paint, the rubber bed for the bulb is marked cmp 41, the bakelite battery box is cpm 42. Inside the box there is a spare blue glass.

The questions: Was it used to be put on head? Or on helmet? Or both? Also, was it infantry or Luftwaffe or..... what? Thanks in advance!

Pictures:

[Bergflak]

Hi Teo!


The lamp in question could be worn directly on the head or if desired on a helmet (the band should be large enough). I have seen two varieties of these (I have the other model). As far as I can tell they were issued to gun crews , and was an aid in night-time reading of scales for the person aiming the gun. I am talking in-direct fire here (artillery). I don't think these lamps saw front line service for some obvious reasons......
The other model has the same battery box, but the lamp holder is made of bakelite and has a built in dimmer (manual) to reduce the omitted light. Since yours has a separate filter I assume yours is early, while mine is a later variety. Mine has a small nose-bridge and was therefore clearly not meant to be worn on the helmet......
Mine came in a small steel box with white stencilled "Beleuchtungsgerät" on the lid. Box contained the "Stirnlampe", as well as spare batteries, bulbs, a light cord and a standard square battery box. Complete contents was listed in the lid, alas I know what the item was designated!
Seems to be quite rare, as I have seen very few of these for sale over the last years. If you search this forum I know there is a picture on the helmet pages of a German soldier wearing your lamp on a helmet!

[benutzer]

Thats 100% correct!!

[Theodor]

Thank you very much! It is indeed related to the artillery, belonged to an officer form our army, from armor-destroying unit. However its frontline use would be indeed a very bad idea

[Gary Wood]

Many years ago at a German show Haiger I think there was a dealer who had a box of these, they were about 10 marks each, there were no battery boxes though, i bought a couple still have one nowadays, kept the one with the WaA stamp on the inside of the rubber bill, often wondered what they were for
cheers,
Gary
PS did anyone find the picture of it being worn on the helmet forum?

[Gary Wood]

this is my example

[Gary Wood]

image 2