My first attempt at firing up a german carbide lantern that my father found as a kid in Stjørdal, Norway during WW2. To keep it as authentic as possible I ordered the calcium carbide from Germany ;-)!
So rare to see these days. There needs to be more people showing table lamps and lanterns. All you find now are miners lamps and bicycle lamps. A much underrated technology. ❤
great video - thanks for sharing. Gave me lots of info about my tin wehrmacht lamp (manufacturer code ltf) Looks like I have one missing side plate which is a shame as the lamp is otherwise unused with small german instruction booklet) Mine also has a small fuel burner with a wick in addition to the Carbide set up???
I read a Book by a German, Soldat, WWII. He mentions a Lamp, he referred to as a Hindenburg, Trench lamp. He said they used them on the Eastern Front, and that they put out a little heat also.. Anyone know about that one? Or was he talking about this one? Thanks
Hindenburg Trench lamp is "Hindenburglicht" in german. This is an early form of a tealight. It has very often two candle wicks that are close by and produce one bigger flame. A more modern form of the Hindenburglicht was part of the Bundeswehr "Einheitslaterne".
you have to ask yourself, why ? didn't they also have a mantle ? they knew about davey mineing safety lamps, and mantle's for gas lamps, why not for this ? it is gas after all
A mantle lamp is a different technology- white gasoline instead of acetylene from carbide, and is more fragile. This is a military issued lamp for war conditions and wasn’t designed for mine conditions where gas is a problem.
Ive got a question too. I have a "Deutsche Reichsbahn" lamp to. When i want to turn it of, do i just simple cut the water surply and wait for the flame to burn the rest of the gas or is there a way to shut it off imeditly?
I can't see much alternative to cutting the water supply and wait for the gas to stop developing. I usually just let it burn out to make sure all the carbide is converted into acetylene. After use make sure to clean the lantern from the remaining goop of carbide bi product as soon as it has cooled down.
Thanks for this video. Fun and informative. I just bought one of these, but where the reflector is, there's only a hole. Does anyone know where I could get a replacement? Mine is a Universal Auto-lite brand
Hello. Ive got one from the "Deutsche Reichsbahn". Two Questions: do i need a wick from calcium room and do i need those metall slices/ covers? All the sides are open, but there was glass, but it crashed. Hope you will answer soon, thanks.
No wick needed. The acetylene gas from the carbide will rise through the metal nozzle in the burning chamber. The metal covers are only for blocking light. You could even fire the lamp without the glass.
Hello all. As i know for other types of lanterns theres mantle used for grighter light... Can Anyone explain to me why its not used for carbide lanters? Is there too much exhalates or what?
Before mantles acetylene was the gas of choice because it provided the best light. Plus it would make it sturdier. Mantles are delicate and most carbide lanterns do not have a glass case.
