Original Item. Only One Available. A really stellar piece of WWII technology, this is an inert Mk 2 Mod. 1 Signal Pistol Rocket in its original metal tube. This example retains its label which is severely deteriorated, but much of the information is still visible. As with all deactivated ordnance, this item is not available for export.

This example is in rough but fair condition. It is 14” in length with a 1.5” diameter. The label on the rocket reads PISTOL ROCKET SIGNAL MINIMUM ALTITUDE 500 FT MARK 2 - MOD. 1 PARACHUTE SMOKE RED FOR USE IN PYROTECHNICS PISTOL AN-M8 OR SIGNAL ROCKET PISTOL MARK 1 REFER TO “OP 1177”  CONT. NOrd 12142 LOT NO, 1008-A-32 DECEMBER 1943.

The upper section or signal chamber contains a pyrotechnic composition and powder ejector charge. The rocket motor, which is riveted to the signal chamber, contains one gram of black powder above a felt washer and 58 grams of black powder, which is the rocket element. Four spring-loaded hinged vanes, four inches long and one inch wide, are attached to the rocket tube and fold and fit into the rocket chamber. The rocket chamber is an aluminum container with a Primer Mk 5 in its base. This unit receives the rocket motor.

Similar in construction to the submarine signal, Pistol Rocket Signal Mk 1 Comet, the Pistol Rocket Signal Mk 1 Mod 2 produces a chameleon signal consisting of three parachute-borne stars which burn successively in three colors. Each star burns for approximately seven seconds before the next color ignites. The Pistol Rocket Signal Mk 2 Mod 1 is a smoke signal, a parachute-borne smoke candle, but is generally the same construction as the Mk 1 Mod 2.

The signals are fired from the Submarine Rocket Pistol Mk 1 Mod 0 or the Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8. The primer ignites the one-gram auxiliary expelling charge, which projects the upper section of the signal to a height of 30 feet, where the rocket powder ignites, sending the signal on up to 650 feet. There the pyrotechnic element-chameleon or smoke-ignites. As the signal leaves the projector or pistol, the spring-loa-ded vanes fold out into place, stabilizing the flight of the signal.