Description
This is a Dutch wartime flashlight, in dutch called a so called “knijpkat”. The name is explained by the sound it makes by pressing the handle, it’s a sort of whining sound that resembles a cat when you pitch it, thus Pitch-cat -> “knijpkat!
With green lens, i have never seen this before, this might possibly be a variation for the Luchtbescherming?
During the war it was obliged by the German occupier to darken the whole of the Netherlands, as else allied bombers and warplaines could see targets. People who had to walk through the night needed a small lightsource to be able to find their way. The company of Philips then invented the Knijpkat. As energy and batteries were during the war very scarce the knijkat that works similar to a bicycle dynamo was a practical and smart solution.
The here offered example is in working condition, but the light is very faint, i suspect the lightbulb needs to be changed. The button to close the handle works fine too. There’s obviously a few small agespots, but actually it is in good condition.
Simply a very nice wartime item!
