hello all
hope this isn’t too non-aviation related, but I was hoping someone may be able to i.d. this flare pistol. I’m thinking that the tangs (right word?) on the barrel end are fittings to enable the pistol to be locked into a firing tube of some sort, possibly like those on some aircraft (or ships?). The only markings visible are “No 4 UK”, although the “U” might be an “M”. It also has a small arrow, below which is a crown and below that a “1A”. The bore measures out at 40mm.
any info appreciated
cheers
gregv
By: Seafuryfan - 21st July 2005 at 22:54
Hi Greg,
You may be surprised to hear these pistols are carried on RAF military helicopters. They’re used to fire buyoant smoke markers for mountain flying (wind indicators), and coloured flares to ATC when radios are U/S.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 20th July 2005 at 12:16
No worries Cees – happy to help – just sorry its not wartime (but you can never find them!
All the best
Ben
By: HP57 - 20th July 2005 at 12:11
Cees – Flare cartridge en route to you today!
Cheers
TT
Ben,
Got it in the mail yesterday. I am very very very pleased with it. Thanks
If I can ever help you out, just let me know.
Cheers
Cees
By: HP57 - 10th July 2005 at 10:55
Cees – Flare cartridge en route to you today!
Cheers
TT
Thanks TT
Cheers
Cees
By: A225HVY - 8th July 2005 at 19:22
The same ones are still in use in todays modern Royal Air Force in ATC towers and Runway Control Caravans where they clip into a roof cupola, there is also a sleeve available so you can use 12g bird scaring shells!! 😮
A225HVY
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 8th July 2005 at 10:55
Cees – Flare cartridge en route to you today!
Cheers
TT
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 30th June 2005 at 18:16
No worries – i think it would be later – the early ones had AM crowns but the pistols were used by other services – it looks right for an aircraft pistol – they’re pretty reliable – Sywells ATC retired theirs about six months ago – you can still get cartridges!
In any event ours are No.2s so yours by definition must be later – ours have 1943 dates so I guess 1944-45? Dont think they would have made many more after 1945 as lots were slopping around by then – have seen a variant with a stock modified to fire a rope line but i wouldnt have fancied firing it!
De-acted worth about £40-60
All the best
TT
By: gregv - 30th June 2005 at 18:11
thanks
hello TT
thanks for the info! This actually belongs to one of our SPFX guys, so the FAC is already taken care of. According to him the serial no. is 4900, although this may be a part number as I don’t know where it is marked. There is a small crown below the arrow, so would that make it an early or late issue?
thanks again!
greg v.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 30th June 2005 at 17:55
Standard issue 1.5″ Webley Signal Pistol No.4 MK 1A – issued to most Air Min aircraft – probably a later issue with a War Dept Arrow rather than an Air Min crown remember you may need a FAC unless its knackered – the lugs on the barrel lock it into the flare chute to avoid it being discharged inside the aircraft – at YAM a few years ago i was told that the serial number could often be traced to a unit and sometimes a specific aircraft – Webley and Scott helpfully disposed of their archives a few years ago when i tried to trace one that we have in the Museum -Hope that helps
TT
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June 30, 2005 at 5:42 pm