{"product_id":"original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-fl-56211-panzerhandlampe-epl-portable-airfield-signal-lamp-by-dominitwerke-red-glass","title":"Original German WWII Luftwaffe Fl. 56211 Panzerhandlampe EPL Portable Airfield Signal Lamp by Dominitwerke - Red Glass","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Luftwaffe \u003ci\u003ePanzerhandlampe\u003c\/i\u003e, a rechargeable portable electric lamp designated \u003cb\u003eFl. 56211\u003c\/b\u003e and manufactured by Dominitwerke. Officially known as the \u003ci\u003eEinheitspanzerhandlampe EPL\u003c\/i\u003e, this rugged military lamp was designed for emergency illumination, temporary airfield lighting, and marking obstacles during nighttime operations. The present example retains its distinctive red glass cover, protective steel framework, and large suspension hook.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lamp is constructed from a cylindrical metal housing with a dark, aged finish. Its upper section contains the lighting assembly beneath a red glass dome, protected by a heavy steel framework. The large curved hook allows the lamp to be suspended from suitable structures, while the lower cylindrical section contains its rechargeable battery assembly. The upper and lower sections separate, exposing the battery terminals and associated electrical contacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest are the original embossed identification panels on the body. The principal panel reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePanzerhandlampe\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBaumuster: EPL\u003c\/b\u003e — Model designation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGerät-Nr.: 126-1\u003c\/b\u003e — Equipment number\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnf. Z. Fl. 56211\u003c\/b\u003e — Luftwaffe equipment designation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHerstellerz.: ezy\u003c\/b\u003e — Manufacturer's code identifying Dominitwerke\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA second panel carries the battery specifications and maintenance warning:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeistung 25 Ah bei 2,6 Volt.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKeine Schwefelsäure einfüllen!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"Capacity: 25 ampere-hours at 2.6 volts. Do not fill with sulfuric acid!\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warning identifies the lamp's alkaline rechargeable battery system, which required appropriate electrolyte and charging procedures. Additional stamped identification numbers are present on the battery assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is good overall, with considerable age, handling, and storage wear. The metal housing and fittings show widespread surface oxidation, scattered rust, scratches, and areas of finish loss. Corrosion is particularly evident around the upper fittings and battery contacts. The red glass cover remains intact with strong coloration, while the protective framework and suspension hook are retained. The identification markings remain largely legible despite surface wear. The lamp's electrical functionality has not been tested, and the battery should be regarded as an aged historical component.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eEinheitspanzerhandlampe EPL\u003c\/i\u003e was a standardized portable electric lamp employed by the German armed forces during WWII. Its Luftwaffe designation, \u003cb\u003eFl. 56 211\u003c\/b\u003e, identified it within the service's equipment system, while the German Army also used related equipment under the designation \u003ci\u003eEinheitslaterne\u003c\/i\u003e, or standard lantern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lamp fulfilled several practical functions, particularly in military aviation environments where reliable portable lighting was necessary. Its design allowed personnel to provide emergency illumination in hangars, workshops, ammunition facilities, and other installations. It could also be positioned temporarily to identify obstacles or provide lighting along airfield landing areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe colored glass covers were important to these applications. Red covers were used for temporary obstacle marking, while white, green, and red covers could be employed for airfield lighting. This allowed the same basic lamp to fulfill several functions depending on the operational requirement and the colored cover fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Panzerhandlampe was designed as an explosion-protected electric lamp, a valuable characteristic in environments where combustible vapors or other flammable materials might be present. Its enclosed lighting assembly and protective housing were intended to make portable illumination safer and more practical under demanding service conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Luftwaffe formally addressed the operation and maintenance of this equipment in its June 1943 technical instruction \u003cb\u003eL.Dv. 283\/7\u003c\/b\u003e, titled \u003ci\u003ePanzerhandlampe Fl. 56 211: Beschreibung, Lade- und Wartungsvorschrift\u003c\/i\u003e. This covered the lamp's construction, charging, and servicing requirements, establishing the pattern as part of the Luftwaffe's standardized wartime equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rechargeable battery system was central to its usefulness. The EPL employed two alkaline accumulator cells arranged within the cylindrical lower section. The battery was designed to supply approximately 2.6 volts when fully charged, powering a low-voltage incandescent bulb. Its nominal capacity of 25 ampere-hours provided an electrical reserve suitable for extended portable operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe battery assembly incorporated spring-loaded electrical contacts and venting arrangements, while the construction permitted the lighting section to be separated for servicing. Charging required specialized equipment, with wartime installations using dedicated charging racks and electrical supplies to maintain batteries for repeated service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of rechargeable cells was particularly practical for military units that needed portable lighting on a regular basis. Rather than relying entirely on disposable batteries, personnel could return the equipment to charging facilities after use. This was useful for airfield ground crews and other technical personnel operating from established workshops or temporary field installations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manufacturer, \u003cb\u003eDominitwerke\u003c\/b\u003e, originated in the German mining-lamp industry during the early 1920s. The company specialized in electrical lighting equipment, including rechargeable lamps intended for industrial and mining applications. Mining operations required reliable portable lighting capable of operating in difficult environments, and this experience was directly relevant to the construction of military lamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDominitwerke developed its operations in the Dortmund and Brilon areas and became an established producer of specialized electrical equipment. During WWII, the company's manufacturing experience was applied to military production. Its wartime manufacturer code \u003cb\u003eezy\u003c\/b\u003e was used to identify products without displaying the manufacturer's full commercial name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eBaumuster EPL\u003c\/i\u003e designation refers to the standardized \u003ci\u003eEinheitspanzerlampe\u003c\/i\u003e pattern. Military standardization was particularly important for rechargeable electrical equipment because it simplified the supply of replacement components, battery maintenance, and servicing procedures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lamp's applications extended beyond aviation. The German Army classified \u003ci\u003eEinheitslaterne\u003c\/i\u003e equipment according to its construction material, including brass, steel, and molded-material versions. These lamps were intended to provide portable illumination wherever suitable electrical supplies were unavailable, including workshops, military installations, and vehicle maintenance areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe term \u003ci\u003ePanzerhandlampe\u003c\/i\u003e, literally \"armored hand lamp,\" refers to the lamp's protective construction. Its military use was considerably broader than armored vehicles alone, encompassing the practical lighting requirements of several branches of the German armed forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the later years of WWII, temporary airfields and dispersed aviation facilities became increasingly important to the Luftwaffe. Allied bombing placed considerable pressure on established air bases, making the ability to operate from temporary installations an important consideration. Portable lamps were useful for marking obstacles, illuminating selected working areas, and establishing temporary lighting arrangements when fixed electrical installations were inadequate or unavailable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe red glass configuration retained by this example is particularly relevant to its intended signaling role. The lamp's protected construction, rechargeable power supply, and suspension arrangement made it suitable for repeated use in military environments where temporary lighting had to be established and relocated as required.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46272124878917,"sku":"ONSV26KMK079","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B4A3F09C-F3C6-4D22-8070-A8D4E9D63D69.jpg?v=1793818754","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-wwii-luftwaffe-fl-56211-panzerhandlampe-epl-portable-airfield-signal-lamp-by-dominitwerke-red-glass","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}