Original Item: Only one available. This is a very nice early Great War example of the English military Mark III flare pistol, as issued and used during the last part of World War I. This flare gun is in great shape. The brass was definitely polished and the balance of the brass is crisp and sharp with fine edges. There are minor scratches on the barrel due to some handling signs. All of the markings are very crisp and clear. The blued iron breech release catch has some pitting evident, and the blued hammer and trigger each retain about 40% of their original blued finish, which has faded and blended with a smooth brown, lightly oxidized patina. The two-piece walnut grips are in good condition. They are free of any breaks, cracks or repairs and are quite solid. The grips do show a handful of minor bumps and dings from handling and use, but no breaks, damage or abuse.

This particular Mark III signal pistol was produced by Cogswell & Harrison for the British military. The flare pistol is clearly marked with COGSWELL & HARRISON / LONDON on the right side of the frame. The frame is also marked with the serial number 62315 on the opposite side. The frame and barrel are both marked with British Ordnance Department proof and inspection marks, the Broad Arrow of the Ordnance Department and the number 16 indicating inspection and acceptance in 1916.

Cogswell & Harrison was established in May 1770 and is London’s oldest surviving gun maker. The company has manufactured an exceptionally diverse range of sporting shotguns and rifles during its long and colorful history. In 2008 the company was purchased by the Brennan family, the proprietors of Ardee Sports Company. In addition to the family of Windsor and Certus guns, Cogswell & Harrison also have other guns in production comprising bespoke side by side and premium over and under shotguns.
The action of the pistol functions flawlessly. The breech still closes tightly and securely and the shell extractor functions as it should when the pistol is broken open. The single action lock work is mechanically excellent and the rebounding hammer functions correctly as well. The flare pistol retains the original iron lanyard ring and swivel in the brass butt.

The Mark III signal pistol was adopted in 1911, as an improved version of the earlier Mark II pistol, which had been adopted in 1905. Like the previous Mk II pistol, it was a brass flare gun with a tilt-down, break open loading mechanism and a single action lockwork. Although the Mark III remained in production through the end of World War I, it had in fact been superseded by the Number 1 and Number 2 signal pistols which were manufactured from steel instead of brass. These patterns were adopted in 1915 and utilized many of the same parts as the Webley Mark VI service revolver. During the production of the Mk III signal pistol, at least five companies including WW Greener, Wolseley (Sheep Shearing Co.), Chubb (very rare – only 500 contracted for), Cogswell & Harrison and Webley & Scott.

Overall this is a really fantastic looking example of a really fine Mark III signal pistol. This would be a fantastic addition to your collection of World War I militaria or of military flare pistols.