CIA CAMERA ! WHAT IS THIS THING?

[dr.who]

Hello everyone,i am new here and have leaned a lot from reading the forum,really good tips & tricks,thanks a bunch.I went out metal hunting and found this item that does look like a miniature camera,but then others say no way there is no were to open it,it is to old looking for that,it is heavy,well made and does have a small air like slot around big opening.One person suggested some form of camp light with needle valve control,were one would put the fuel in the bottom.Or is it some kind of small sight glass?.Has anyone seen anything like this before?.Thanks for any help.I did find this with a tesoro detector,and i will list on what is it forum if no one has ever seen this before.

 

[jlw]

I remember when I was a kid at our local county fair those little cameras were put inside a glass cube along with other toys and you would try to pull something out by fishing with a crane for about 10 cents.

 

[Cherokeefan68]

I would be interested to see pics of it cleaned up.. It almost reminds me of a miniature hurricane lantern base.

 

[larzam]

An old cheap camera,i am sure the back plate or side can still be pried back to reveal where the roll of film should go. i think jlw is correct. sam, in ms

 

[Tseeker]

It is a totally cool find! Not something you are likely to come across too often.

 

[dr.who]

I would be interested to see pics of it cleaned up.. It almost reminds me of a miniature hurricane lantern base.

It looks like cherokeefan68 did his homework and larzam has a photographic memory LOL.I soaked the whatever for a couple of hours in soapy water then cleaned down the hole in top, this thing is intricately built,it had a burnt hard crust while cleaning in top hole, then i saw it because it popped of in my hand,a small valve seat that fits a very small hole to right and a adjustable screw on the other side,you can tell valve seat got hot because it is burnt metal(rusted different than usual).I am an old heating tech so this comes natural.I guess this is a type of lamp,micro stove something.Take note area found in has military history prior to revolutionary war through civil war etc..could it be an early military item,this thing is built like a micro tank.Well what do i do now?.thanks for sparking my interest enough to at least clean this thing.Let me get camera cranked back up and if the kid don't want to jump on the computer, i will send pictures.

 

[Dang]

I think it's something you should stick in your eye.

 

[dr.who]

See the tiny pin hole on dial,when you want to relieve the gas pressure,you turn the dial and the pressure relieves through pin hole.Things are not always what they look like,it has air flow slots and a pilot orifice,and seat valve.You still believe this to be a camera?.Chucky

 

[padiggin]

....you're one of us old timers, dude. Who are you trying to fool????? Hmmmmm........

 

[padiggin]

.....It's a top secret device that has multiple purposes. 1) it serves as back-up battery energy when your solar powered unit goes dead. 2) And it also serves as a hot coffee maker when you're out on those chilly morning in the bogs. 3) It's last use has been documented on the Discovery Channel - it's a automatic pill dispenser for ensuring that your meds are taken on a regular and consistent basis.

Now see that, you've stumbled upon a really cool find - just make sure you return it to your nearest Homeland Security agent, it's only the right thing to do!

 

[Furious T]

I think it might be a baby Darlek! Sapper.

 

[Furious T]

Sorry, that should be Dalek. Sapper

 

[padiggin]

And what homework was that? Something called Google?? Or Wikipedia?

 

[cousin jack]

it is a carbide head lamp , by mixing calcium carbide with water acetylene gas is ignited with a wheel and flint like bics use. My ancestors were Cornish miners . The light is very bright and used in old cars, miners hats bicycles and motorcycles. Hence the term headlight. try goggle images
nice find! HH cousin Jack

 

[Cherokeefan68]

And what homework was that? Something called Google?? Or Wikipedia?

I actually saw a similar item at an auction recently, It was really tiny. I tried pulling an image from goggle but couldn't find any.. I'm with Jack on this one.

 

[RickIowa2009]

Thats a cool find!