The GWA
"Authenticity & More"

Converting European Army Flashlights
to Use Standard Batteries
re-done by Max Stiebritz

[Editor's Note:] This article was reprinted from "Der Frontsoldat" and originally written by Mike Gestey. Mike published it originally for "Der Katzbach Informer." Max Stiebritz has now redone this article for the membership of JR459.

The German Taschenlampe (pocket flashlights) is very popular with WW1 German Reenactors; in fact it is one of the most sought after items in the Central Powers. That is next to the Stalhelm and gasmask.

Although many of use original WW1 or WW2 flashlights some DDR lights can be used too; as long as it has two slides and not three. As of late it has been really hard to find the square European batteries that are used.

One way we have found to get these batteries is to go to Walmart and buy the "Garret Disposable Flashlight", break them open and use the square battery inside of them.

Another way is the reason for this article.

I have determined a method of which these types of Taschenlampe can be converted to use four 1.5-volt AA batteries. All of the items required can be purchased at Radio Shack for about $7.00. Listed below is the procedure for conversion.

Items Required" Four AA battery holder
Four AA batteries
Soldering iron
Solder
Thin piece of "blister pack" hard plastic, from battery holder.
Small flat tip screwdriver
Small piece of fine sandpaper

Procedure

Remove the battery presently in the flashlight (if there is one).

If the battery has leaked into the case (which is a problem of the European batteries) the brown plastic backing needs to be removed. CAREFULLY pry the metal tabs holding the backing in place. CAREFULLY remove the backing and the underlying piece of cardboard. KEEP the cardboard under the backing! It is designed to act as a ground for the circuit. Flip over the piece of cardboard, and you will find a small piece of metal impregnated into the cardboard that completes the circuiting. Sand away any rust and flaking paint. Use the cardboard as a template, and with the hard plastic scrap from the battery case, make a new backing. Make a notch in the plastic where the metal piece is on the cardboard. CAREFULLY reinsert the plastic piece, cardboard, and backing into the battery case. CAREFULLY bend back the metal tabs to re-secure the assembly.

Plug in the soldering iron and let it warm up. Insert the battery holder into the case where the original battery was, with the red and black wires on the case toward the upper left corner of the case. Locate the metal fitting in the middle of the plastic backing. This fitting makes contact with the bulb when closed. About five millimeters from the top of the fitting, place the exposed portion of the red wire on the metal, and place solder on top of the wire until it is in place.

Locate the fitting on the right side of the plastic backing. It makes contact with the switch, when the switch is depressed. Note a small notch in the fitting towards the right side of the case. Insert the exposed portion of the black wire into the notch, and place solder on top of the wire until it is secured into place.

Tuck any remaining wire into the case, ensuring that it does not block the switch mechanism or bulb contact plate. Insert the four AA batteries into the holder, taking note that they are inserted correctly as to positive and negative positions.

Close the flashlight, and test it. It should be working now? Right?

Trouble Shooting

If the flashlight does not work, check the following:

If the backing plate was removed because of leakage, make sure all metal parts make contact with the bulb when the case is secured and the switch is on. Also check and make sure the backing plate was inserted correctly.

Check the light bulbs. You can go to Ace Hardware and use the Screw Base Flashlight Bulbs "(Ace 33774) for 3 "D" batteries. Radio shack also sells a Screw Base Flashlight Bulb.

[Editor's Note] I have seen a Modern Bundeswehr flashlight as of late and will tell you - even the Germans have now converted their flashlights to accept "D" batteries. The one I was shown was thicker than the ones that are available to us but goes to show that converting them is just fine!

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The GWA "Authenticity & More"

The GWA
"Authenticity & More"