Original Item: Only One Available. Very nice condition 37mm big-bore signal pistol of WW2. The barrel has studs for attachment to a flare port in the fuselage of large aircraft such as bombers. The right side of the frame is marked inside a triangle, although it is now very heavily worn:

E
C  C
V
1942
U.S. PROPERTY
PISTOL PYROTECHNIC M-8

The abbreviation at the top indicates manufacture by Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co., one of several contractors employed to make these pistols. This example is offered in very good fully functional condition, but the serial number has been completely ground off of the spine, which is very odd. As far as we can tell, no parts are missing, and the firing pin is present and functional. It is marked with the U.S. Ordnance "Crossed Cannons" proof and "P" on the bottom of the grip.

This is a flare pistol, mainly used during and after WW2 in aircraft. Although intended to be mounted in the M1 aircraft mount, this flare pistol can be used as a conventional flare pistol. The barrel hinges down to allow removing a spent cartridge or loading a cartridge from the breech end of the barrel. But a grooved type cartridge can be loaded from the muzzle end of the barrel.

Designed during WW2 to be manufactured by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co. and so uses metal stamping instead of machined parts. The frame is cast aluminum. The two levers on the top of the barrel give it a very unique look. The top hook shaped lever when pulled back allows the pistol to be installed or removed from the M1 mount in an aircraft.

The M-1 mount is really a “little door”, fastened rigidly to the aircraft, which permits the pistol barrel to extend through the aircraft’s outer skin. The mount absorbs the recoil of the pistol. This is truly a wonderful example and comes ready to be displayed!