Original Item; Only One Available. Offered in very good condition, this is a scarce model SLD - Signal und Leucht Doppelschussmodelce (literally ”signal & light double shot model).

The pistol has a pair of 9 1/4” barrels and a 4 3/4” wooden fore-end to give the user a more secure grip when the pistol was fired. This double barrel flare pistol was manufactured in 4 bore and accepted 27mm flares with a variety of signaling and lighting purposes. To the rear of the left side is the safety lever, which exposes the word Feuer for “fire”, when in the up position and the word Sicher for “safe” when in the down position. The upper rear portion of the frame has a three-way switch to select the barrels that will fire when the trigger is pulled. The switch is labeled L for “left”, Doppel / Schuss for “double shot” (firing both barrels) and R for “right”.

The left side of the frame is stamped with the maker code, “eeu” which represents the manufacturer; Lieferungsgemeinschaft Westthuringer Werkzueg und Metallwarenfabriken GmbH, based in Schmalkden in Thuringia. Under the maker code is serial number 752 and to the right is date [19]43. The pistol bears multiple Waffenamt proofs, one on the top of each barrel, as well as the correct Kriegsmarine Waffenamt inspection marking M (Eagle) III/3. There were several main Marinewaffenamt (MWa) or Naval Weapons Offices, and "III" in Düsseldorf was the one responsible for "Pistols, Flare Pistols, Spare Parts, and Ammunition." "3" is a sub office specifically assocaited with Flare pistols, usually by Walther, and this is the same marking seen on other examples.

Definitely a well-marked example. Condition is very good, with most of the anodized finish still present on the "duralumin" alloy components. Other components are bright steel, which still have a lot of the original bright finish. Functionally the pistol works great, breaking open correctly and able to dry fire on either barrel or both. The only deficiency noted is that the barrel selector switch is a bit finicky, and must be pressed down from the top in order to move correctly, probably due to internal wear.

This pistol was adopted by the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) in 1936 and remained in production until the end of World War II, with most estimates placing the total production at less than 10,000 units. While most German army flare pistols also accepted some sort of grenade or explosive charge, the Kriegsmarine saw little utility for such projectiles and used their flare guns strictly for signaling and illumination. The SLD model has a long association with use on NSDAP U-Boats, and the rarity and low survival rate of these guns is attributed to the fact that many went to the bottom of the ocean with their submarines.

This is a wonderful opportunity to add a very rare U-Boat flare pistol to your collection.