Stainless steel Australian army inkwell?

I bought this under the knowledge of the seller that it was a stainless steel Australian army inkwell but the hole seems to me to small at only 7cm in diameter and a cork washer. On the top of the screw on cap is stamped in the steel the logo of Australia with the letters "D. H. A." I was wondering if anyone knows what it is and any information on it?

 

Possibly DeHavilland Australia. Their aircraft designs going back to WWII anyway are known as "DHA-(number.). Speculation: Draftsmen sometimes used fine-tipped pens thus small access.

 

Looks like a spirit lamp/alcohol burner.

 

That's what I'd be thinking.

 

No clue, but having just finished Bill Bryson's, "In A Sunburned Country," you could call it a hair ornament, or a small boat ballast, and I'd believe you!

 

Silver...is that you ?
Nice to see you !!!!

 

'S mee! Thank you! Am still waiting for my own computer to get back on its feet, but this will do in the meantime.

 

YAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thank for the good info. I'll have to look that up.

 

That's what I think it is as well.

 

Figure 13 illustrates an interesting alcohol lamp for portable or field use. It is part of a World War II Field, Needle Sterilization Kit. It is nickel-plated brass, and fit in the bottom of a cigarette-package-size, front-opening metal box with this burner at the bottom, and an elongated, round-bottomed sterilization tray on top, which was just large enough to hold one or two hypodermic needles. A quarter-ounce of alcohol provides enough fuel for this lamp to burn for one hour. This is the alcohol lamp I use in my Field Kit.


FIGURE 13

Just a thought....( from the lamp thread...)

 

Thanks Komakwa. Yeah I'm leaning towards something like that. Had a feeling it wasn't a inkwell with the two small holes on top.

 

Not an inkwell. Likely for some sort of oil, lubricant or fuel.

Australian army stuff is weird. In the...50s or 60s, they invented something called the Field Ration Eating Device - FRED.

It was combination can-opener, and spork (spoonyfork thing) or some such device.

Apparently it was so unwieldly and impractical that soldiers called it FRED too...the...*ahem*...F-ing...Ridiculous Eating Device...

 

Here it is. The FRED. Spoon, bottle-opener and can-opener all in one.

 

Funny.....I can get one of those at my camping store still today....BUT...without the elongated spoon part !!

 

Haha... Doesn't look like something you what to use to eat with but thanks for the interesting info. What a funny thing.