How would I bench test....

[Major Softie]

Ken, you should realise that you're amongst friends, and that it is ok to say nail polish.
Duane uses it all the time!

I believe the term is "abuses" rather than "uses."

[melville]

I used a multimeter set on ohms to check continuity, and did a lot of that when I took that picture. The answer one seeks from the ohmmeter is zero, of course.

With the bulb in place, looking for a low and consistent resistance measuring from pin to pin.