BACKGROUND: The HwaA, Heereswaffenamt, (Army Ordnance Office), was a subsection of the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), that was responsible for testing, evaluation and eventual issue of all ordnance, including flare pistols and accessories. The German army of the Third Reich period originally utilized two basic models of flare pistols, with one having a short barrel and the other a long barrel, that were both introduced in 1928 to replace the earlier Hebel M1894 flare pistol that had been the standard issue flare pistol utilized in WWI and earlier. Both patterns of the 1928 flare pistol were developed by the Carl Walther Waffenfabrik, (Weapons Factory), of Zella-Mehlis and were constructed in steel until the mid-1930's when they were produced in an aluminum alloy. The long barrel model was only produced in steel and further production was discontinued around 1935. Both of the basic flare pistols were issued with a specific holster and were capable of firing over forty assorted flares with different functions and purposes. The main purpose of the flare guns and flares was for signaling although they were also used for illumination and producing smoke screens as required. In 1942 the Germans developed a high explosive grenade shell to be utilized with the flare pistols in an attempt to provide an inexpensive, close support weapon for the Infantry. The new, high explosive, grenade shells required that the flare pistols be retooled by rifling the barrel and adding a dial sight. The retooled flare guns were designated Kampfpistole, (Battle Pistol), and were marked with a "Z", to indicate the barrel was rifled. The Kampfpistole could also fire additional anti-personnel, illumination and smoke shells. Of Note: Later in 1942 the Germans also developed another flare/assault pistol designated Sturmpistole, (Assault Pistol), that could also fire assorted high explosive and other assorted flare shells. Both the Kampfpistole and the Sturmpistole were relatively ineffective and were only used on a "as required" basis. The final flare pistol developed for the Germans was the Leuchtpistole 42 which began to be issued in early 1943 and was very similar to it’s predecessors although it was of stamped zinc construction and no specific holster was ever produced for it. During the war captured enemy stocks and the WWI Hebel pistols were also utilized and a double barreled flare pistol was developed by was used almost exclusively by Kriegsmarine, (War Navy), and Luftwaffe, (Air-Force), personnel. Almost all models of the flare pistols had special clamps developed enabling the flare pistols to be secured to a static item, and fired remotely.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tooled steel/aluminum construction, short barrel, flare pistol with steel and bakelite fittings. The pistol features a roughly, 8cm long barrel, not including the breach, and a 30mm, diameter, tooled, steel barrel with a hinged, octagonal shaped breach receiver end. The bottom edge of the receiver has a traditional, pull back, steel trigger with an integral, steel, trigger guard. The forward edge of the trigger guard has an additional, steel, push, finger lever which activates an internal barrel locking mechanism and also enables the barrel hinge to be folded forward to load the pistol. The top reverse edge of the receiver has a pull back, trigger hammer with a pin head activator. The trigger, barrel hinge and hammer all still function. The pistol has molded, dark brown, bakelite grips with a repeating, embossed, diamond pattern for a secure grip and are secured to the pistol by a single, flush, screw headed bolt. The bottom edge of the grips have a small, extended, ball retainer with an inset, circular, lanyard ring. The pistol is well marked with many Waffen-amts, (Ordnance Office, {Armorer's Inspection Mark}), marks and a serial number, "3827". Dated for 1940. Comes with original resstoff "simulated leather" construction holster with blackened leather and steel fittings, for the short barreled flare pistol. All complete except for the small strap and buckle that hold the cleaning rod in place.

Please note, due to Postal Regulations. De-activated firearms and Inert Ordnance may not be shipped outside of Canada.