BACKGROUND: The field flashlight was a standard issue item for all ranks and German army personnel utilized a wide variety of field flashlights including both private purchase and issued models. Generally the field flashlights were equipped with assorted colored lenses for signaling and dark, "black-out", lenses for camouflage purposes. This example is the unique hand generator type that utilizes a magnetic field and kinetic energy creating an electrical current strong enough to power the light bulb. Of Note: Among other discoveries, renown British scientist/inventor Michael Faraday, (1791-1867), discovered electro-magnetic induction in August 1831 which enabled the production of these type of flashlights. Also Of Note: After the early victories in Poland and the western front Germany soon began to utilize the industrial capability of the occupied countries to make up for short falls in German production of a wide variety of armaments and assorted equipment including field flashlights. This particular example was manufactured specifically for the German armed forces by the Dutch Phillips firm during Germany’s occupation of Holland.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: .Unique, field-grey painted, tooled and stamped magnetic sheet metal, construction hand generator flashlight with embossed, horizontal, reinforcement ribs and three screws to each side panel. The top edge of the flashlight has an "L" shaped cut-out to accommodate a black painted, steel, activation, push bar which activates an internal wheel creating an electrical magnetic current to power the light bulb. The light bulb is intact and the flashlight still functions. The forward edge of the flashlight has a circular cut-out to accommodate the light bulb. The light bulb cut-out would have had a protective glass lens but it is absent. The bottom edge of the flashlight is well marked with the impressed Phillips name and logo and additional script that includes, "Made in Holland", "Importe de Hollande", the designation, "Type 7424", voltage and amperage, "2.5Volt-0.1A". Remains in good working order.