Here is an example of the WWII Imperial Japanese clockwork signaling flashlight. It is entirely powered by a heavy clock spring geared to a dynamo generator. It will function for nearly three minuets when fully wound, thus dispensing with the need for flashlight batteries. The operator may keep winding it periodically for a continues light source. The side of the case has a switch to lock the clockwork so that the unit can be kept fully wound and ready. In this image, the crank is folded and the lighting unit stored under the flap.

The box is about 4 3/4 inches square by 2.5 inches wide. The carrying case is made of stiffened cloth. It has a shoulder strap and a waist strap. These units were also made with all leather cases and straps.

In this image, the winding crank has been folded out and locked into the winding position. The lighting wand is on the end of a power cord attached to the generator box under the case flap.

A three-color lense can be turned to provide a red, green, or blue light for signaling purposes. The colored signaling lense cap can be removed so the unit can be use as a regular flashlight.

The head has a turn-switch on the side which can be used to blink the light off and on for flashing coded messages. Unlike the switch on the side of the case, the generator provides continues power even when the wand is turned off.

additional markings on the wand.

Under the case lid are accessories to maintain the unit. Two extra 3volt bulbs, a screw driver and an oil bottle.

The contents of the case. There is a wire oiler in the cap of the oil bottle, much like a small military rifle oil bottle.

The clockwork unit in the case is sealed within an aluminium box with two covers secured by screws.

All I am able to understand from this data plate is that the unit was made in November of 1943(the 18th year of the Showa Emperor).

An additional clockwork signal unit has this information impressed on the cover plate: This one was made in June of 1941.

Under the flap of the June 1941 example are additional markings which differ from the above November 1943 signal light case.

Here is the dynamo generator and some of the wheels and pinions of the June, 1941 clockwork mechanism. Note the large aluminum mainspring barrel. The mainspring on this unit is broken.

(As always, assistance with translations of the above would be greatly appreciated.)

Best regards,

Greg

To update the above, I recieved some translation assistance:


"One from 1943 ( Nov, Shouwa year 18) was made in Manchuria by a company called Mankiseiki corporation for Japanese military. Curiously, the first line reveals the duplication of the number notation, that is, it reads... "serial number, number xxxxxx number."

The other one is from 1941 as you noted and again the detail of the plate deviates from an usual military practice. It reads " made by Kouseiki seisakujo - corporation "... Kouseiki manufacturing corporation. Strangely both of ID plates separated by 2 years are very similar in style and layout.

The ink mark of the military inspection is dated from 1941 and is stated as " Tokyo ". Mark is quite consistent with a quality leather work marking such as for a high quality pistol holster at that time.

The clock mechanism and its use of aluminum reminds me of a self destruct timer made by Aichi during the war."


So, we have two different manufacturers. One in Japan and one in occupied Manchuria.

I had no idea that Japanese controlled Manchuria was industrialized enough to make such equipment. Back then, the region was called "Manchukuo." THE LAST EMPEROR, details the life of the last Emperor of China, installed by Imperial Japan as the figure head of Manchukuo, which was actually governed by the military forces of Japan.

Best regards,
Greg