flashlight?

[bruce01364]

Although I found this near an old cellar hole it doesn't look that old. If you can see in the pic the end has a hinged cover. The front has a threaded hole. The small button on the side when pressed pushes a tap on the inside (view from end) It is less than 3 inches long and the oval shape is about 3/4 X 1 1/4. My first thought was that the oval size would accommodate a couple AA batteries and that a flashlight bulb could fit in the threaded hole. What doesn't make sense is that when the button is pressed it would not give the batteries any contact to the bulb since it would be between the 2 batteries. Pushing the button only moves the tab about a 1/16 of an inch and does not lock. Also no spring as in a modern flashlight to put pressure on a battery.
Any ideas?

 

[Steve(Can)]

From a current ebay auction (link below)

[attachment 88665 eveready_lights1_03_17_08.jpg]
[attachment 88666 eveready_lights2_03_17_08.jpg]




Flashlights
2 Rare Vintage Eveready Pocket Vest Flashlights.....You get the 2 vintage flashlights shown and also the original rare box!....Bulbs are flat faced with a white reflector back and look to be original....Both bulbs work when tested independently....Small flashlight is 3" long....Large flashlight is 3.5" long and has a black, cloth-like covering....Small flashlight is stamped; "EVER READY LIGHT, Patented March 15, 1904, June 14, 1904"....Large flashlight is stamped; "EVER READY LIGHT, Patented March 15, 1904, June 14, 1904".

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Rare-Vintage-Eveready-Pocket-Vest-Flashlights-Box_W0QQitemZ280219043677QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13863QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[bruce01364]

n/t