Bob,

I'm no expert but I have never seen true Bakelite that could be 'seen through'.

A quick test for Bakelite....

Put a cup of water in the microwave till it boils (or get VERY hot tap water).

Dip the item into the hot water for about 20 seconds. Then do a quick 'sniff test'. If it smells like the stuff you used to have the preserved frogs stored in while in high school (formaldehyde) or a mortuary basement back in the 1950's - you've got yourself Bakelite.

Steve in Albuquerque