Electric signaling lamp nicknamed ‘Sten’ after its resemblance to the British Sten submachine gun.
Used by the US Military during WWII, for the first time during the Normandy landings (1944). Designated M-227.
Used by the IDF during the War of Independence (1948). Infantry battalion was allocated five signaling lamps.
Enabled transmission of 10 words per minute, with a daytime range of 2,000 meters and night range of 8,000 meters.
Operated from the shoulder as a gun, using the trigger as a signaling key, or mounted on a tripod using an external morse key.
Observer used special red goggles or red filter over field binoculars.
Based on six Volts electrical lamp, concave mirror and a red or white filter; power source: five 1.5 Volts batteries BU-30 inserted in ‘gun’ barrel; weight: 3.75 Kg.
