anyone know what this is?

[johnalbert]

I dont know what this is but guessing its some kind of insttrument, it makes a long rattling noise and vibrates when the trigger is released

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[Gil Boyd]

John,

I believe it is the side handle for a Royal Navy ALDIS lamp. The alternative is the side handle for the Royal Navy FRANCIS lamp. See what you think, its just ringing so many bells but can't be precise. I have seen it on ships or aircraft but can't be more accurate than that. Anymore numbers of makers buried under that piant?

[johnalbert]

thanks you're the first person to have a real idea, it has these two stamps on the front and back but they're blurry. cant see anything else though i think the paint is original. if not the lamp handle could it be a detination timer of some sort, it takes a bit of force to pull back the trigger and it releases very slowly, the plate with two pins on top is flexible and vibrates

[Gil Boyd]

As you squeeze the ratchet or trigger, and let go, does it stay on the hole you select? The black stamp is a typical "in service check" stamp. Your handle would be for Bridge mounting with that hole on the base, over a pole of sorts.........you know what these navy chaps are like ?? lol

[Gil Boyd]

The slide mechanism would be for opening or clsoing the size of the beam IMHO...........

[johnalbert]

The sliding bar with holes doesnt stop unless you hold the trigger, its a funny mechanism... very hard to pull but lets back out very slowly and easy to stop. Do you mean it would fit into the gap on the top of the lamp? your guess is probably better than mine, not sure what you mean about the navy guys though, cheers lol

[johnalbert]

maybe your meant to put a pin through the holes in the slide to set it, is there any point in researching the "reference" number on the side?

[Gil Boyd]

Anything is worth a try. Only those who actually used it though will probably know what it is. How did you come by it maube that could be a better angle of attack to its identity?

[johnalbert]

Found it just on its own in an antique/junk shop, the guy there didn't know what it was either, lucky it does have some kind of number at least though what use it is i don't know

---------- Post added at 04:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:00 PM ----------

does look like a bit of effort and design went into making it

[Gil Boyd]

Agreed, It would probably have had a keep bolt with an eyelet on the end to release it quickly, but in rough seas it would be set to a given position and secured IMHO. Still think its a searchlight or Aldis type lamp bracket.