Deactivated Rare WWII Luftwaffe Issued Flieger-Leuchtpistole L - Pilot Flare Pistol

This is an early production Second World War, Battle of Britain era German Luftwaffe issued "Flieger-Leuchtpistole L" - (Pilot Flare Pistol) double barreled flare pistol. Dated 1937, it was made by August Menz (A over M) who only made a total of just 3,000, and this one being one of the very last ones they made number; 2879. Below the makers emblem is the Luftwaffe acceptance stamp Eagle over 3. The pistol has double triggers and barrel select lever. This model was delevoped in 1936 specifically for the German Air force, making this example a very early one. The initials Fl at the beginning of the Luftwaffe inventory numbers stand for "Flieger" or Aviator indicating that this pistol was issued to Luftwaffe aircrews and not ground crews. These pistols were issued to various bombers crews flying the Heinkel He-111, Junkers JU88 and Dornier Do17 to name but a few. Due to the huge losses suffered by the Luftwaffe of both men and aircraft, and the tiny amount produced by August Menz, very few of their flare pistols now exist!

As found on the majority of early WWII German arms manufacturing the finish and quality is superb. The screws, triggers and levers etc were finished with polished "straw bluing", but as the war deepened this was soon phased out.

Deactivated with a working action it can be cocked, stripped and dry fired.